Anyone encountering dead, injured, sick or newborn wildlife, or wildlife they believe to be abandoned or orphaned, is reminded to leave wild animals or birds undisturbed in their natural habitat.

Residents should not remove animals from the wild or attempt to rehabilitate wild animals. Handling, feeding or relocating wildlife may cause an animal to become habituated to humans and incapable of returning to the wild. Intervening to assist newborn or other wildlife may harm the animal. In many situations, an animal’s parent may be nearby, and any perceived threat to offspring could cause distress or abandonment.

Wild animals can be dangerous and unpredictable when approached and may carry transmissible diseases such as avian influenza, rabies, or canine distemper, which could pose health and safety threats to people or pets.

Concerns about wildlife should be reported to the nearest Forest Management District Office or (709) 685-7273. Conservation officers trained in the safe handling of wildlife will determine whether public safety or concern for an animal’s welfare warrant removing wildlife from their natural habitat.

Information on preventing the spread of avian influenza is available from Environment and Climate Change Canada’s website. Hunters and trappers should also follow Public Health Agency of Canada guidelines regarding wildlife and avian influenza.

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