7 orphaned deer fawns released into wild near Sundre, Alta. [Video]

After spending months caring for seven deer fawns, The Alberta Institute for Wildlife Conservation (AIWC) celebrated their release into the wild this week.

The mule and white-tailed deer arrived at AIWC’s rehabilitation centre five months ago.

Scottie Porter, AIWC’s communications coordinator, says some were orphaned, others injured and at least one was kidnapped.

AIWC says it’s common for mother deer to leave their babies alone for much of the day to avoid attracting predators, and well-intentioned people mistakenly rescue a healthy fawn believing it to be orphaned.

Porter points out young deer are the most demanding patients AIWC treats. When the fawns first arrived, they required formula feedings six times a day.

“It can be quite chaotic in the deer paddock, as the fawns push and shove to be the first to get formula,” says Porter.

When they moved to a primarily leaf-based diet, staff and volunteers had to collect …