STROUDSBURG, MONROE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)— A wildlife shelter in NEPA has been assisting in stopping the spread, but the Pennsylvania Game Commission has stepped in to regulate their efforts or they'll fine them.
The Pocono Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center received a letter today from the Pennsylvania Game Commission claiming the facility has been committing a violation.
Workers at the center say they are just trying to do their jobs.
FDA red dye ban impacts local bakeriesThe Pocono Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center feels it's been doing it's part in stopping the spread of the avian bird flu.
It has been taking in infected birds for further testing or euthanasia.
"We were asked previously to help out," said Susan Downing, Executive Director, Pocono Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center.
But on Thursday, they received this letter from the Pennsylvania Game Commission telling them to stop.
It says the center has been violating the game and wildlife code by continuing to get involved in the collection of dead snow geese and other wildlife suspected of dying from highly pathogenic avian influenza.
The letter also says the center was specifically told this was not allowed under its permit.
"This is not the last resort, but a way to ask them to come into compliance with what their permit actually allows them to do," explained Jason DeCoskey, Director, Bureau of Wildlife Protection.
The facility's current permit authorizes them to rehabilitate sick or injured wildlife for ultimate release back into the wild.
It also permits them to dispose of any sick or injured wildlife who die after arrival at the center, or are euthanized under their care.
It does not permit them to collect any dead migratory birds or any other wildlife.
Decoskey says they are ordered to report any geese they get to the game commission first, especially because h5n1 is transferable to humans.
"Whenever there is a human health complication that rises to that level, they need to come to us first," stated DeCoskey.
But downing says people are constantly calling into the facility, claiming the game commission didn't come to collect the sick or injured bird they reported.
Downing says the center will comply but feels this is hindering what they are trained to do.
"We are rescue, rehabilitate, and release. We want to do our job," voiced Downing.
"Our wildlife rehabbers do a bang out job. They are exceptional at their work," added DeCoskey.
But DeCoskey says the rules need to be enforced when it comes to a potentially life threatening flu.
If you happen to see a sick or injured bird, do not touch it and call the pennsylvania game commission.
If cited, the center could receive a summary violation for each bird.