YOUNG WILDLIFE: Some of them are fluffy, some have big, innocent eyes and they’re all cute — but don’t touch the baby animals you find in the wild.
“While some young animals might appear to be abandoned, usually they are not,” the Pennsylvania Game Commision reminds residents. “It’s likely their mothers are watching over them from somewhere nearby.”
If you want to do what’s best for any young wildlife — even if they appear abandoned — the best thing you can do is leave it alone, the Game Commission advises.
“People want to help wildlife that appears to be in trouble, but what they often don’t realize is that when they encounter a young wild animal by itself in the spring, it’s usually not alone nor in need of rescue; its mother is nearby,” said Matthew Schnupp, Game Commission wildlife management director.
“Leaving such an animal alone so it can reunite with its mother is the best, most-caring thing you can do for it,” said Matthew. “It ensures the young animal has the chance to grow up as intended.”
Interacting with wild animals can cause them to lose their fear of humans — making it harder to live normally in the wild — and it can put humans at risk of getting fleas, ticks, lice, rabies or other diseases and parasites.
Also, there is a $1,500 fine per animal if you are found in possession of wildlife in Pennsylvania.
Injured or orphaned animals can be helped by licensed wildlife rehabilitators. Find a rehabilitators at www.pawr.com, or contact the Game Commission region office where the animal was found.
STROLEAN: If you’re looking to get out of town on Friday — but not too far out of town — that day will be the first of three StrOlean events happening across the state border in Olean, N.Y.
Starting in 2017, the Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce planned the downtown event to include food, music, fine arts and classic cars that will be available to walkers along North Union Street.
More than 50 organizations are set to take part, according to the chamber, and participating restaurants throughout Olean will offer a “walkable” menu item for a Grub Crawl.
The other two StrOleans will be Aug. 17 and Oct. 26.
