N.Y. Environmental Conservation Law § 11-0919: Aid to wildlife in distress

§ 11-0919. Aid to wildlife in distress.

1. Notwithstanding any provision of law, rule or regulation to the

contrary, any person who may discover protected wildlife in distress,

except foxes and skunks, may capture the same and render necessary aid.

For the purposes of this section "in distress" shall mean the apparent

inability to survive in the wild thus requiring human assistance. Such

person shall, as soon as possible after capture of such wildlife,

deliver it to a person licensed pursuant to section 11-0515 to

rehabilitate wildlife.

2. Notwithstanding any provision of law, rule or regulation to the

contrary, a wildlife rehabilitator licensed pursuant to section 11-0515

of this article shall be authorized to capture, transport, rehabilitate,

release and euthanize rabies vector species, provided that such wildlife

rehabilitator has completed a training course approved by the

commissioner or provided by the department. A rabies vector species

exhibiting signs or symptoms of central nervous system disorder when

first encountered by a wildlife rehabilitator or while under the care of

a wildlife rehabilitator shall be euthanized immediately by such

rehabilitator and disposed of as directed by the local county health

department office. The commissioner shall, in consultation with the

commissioner of health, promulgate regulations as necessary for the

implementation of this subdivision.