Orphaned deer fawn finds home with wildlife park in Williams

PHOENIX (AP) - A deer fawn whose mother was hit by a car in Safford has found a home in a wildlife park.

Arizona Game and Fish Department officials said Friday the 3-week-old fawn has been placed at the 160-acre (0.65-square-kilometer) Bearizona Wildlife Park in Williams.

According to the agency, the white-tailed fawn became dependent on people and couldn’t be released back into the wild.

Game and Fish education branch chief Kellie Tharp says there has been a rise in calls from people who have removed fawns they thought were orphaned.

Tharp says wild animals are rarely abandoned, and it’s best to leave them alone.

Anyone concerned about a sick or injured animal can contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator or their nearest Game and Fish office.