Local News on WXHC.com is brought to you by:
The New York Department of Environmental Conservation is reminding New Yorkers that they can appreciate the wildlife New York has to offer from a safe distance and to resist the urge of touching or picking up newborn fawns and other young animals.
The DEC says human contact with animals could result in unintended consequences that could prove detrimental to the animals people are trying to help.
“This is the time of year New Yorkers are more likely to see young or newborn animals in their yards and mistakenly think these animals need help,” NY DEC Commissioner Seggos said.
Animal sightings are common throughout the spring season with young wildlife venturing out into the wild on wobbly legs or unable to fly on their own. The DEC says most newborns receive survival skills from their parents, some may not.
“Unfortunately, well-intentioned individuals may attempt to care for young wild animals they believe to be abandoned or in need of assistance. These human interactions typically do more harm than good.” The DEC said in a statement.
Keeping wildlife in captivity is illegal, and young wildlife are not pets. For people who observe wildlife that appears to be sick or behaving abnormally, should contact the DEC regional wildlife office found HERE.
