State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos May 27, reminded state residents to resist the urge to touch or pick up newborn fawns and other young wildlife. Human contact can carry unintended consequences harmful to the young animals people think they might be helping, Seggos said in a statement released by his office. "In an effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19, New Yorkers are spending more time at home than normal and some are seeing more young birds and other wildlife as a result," Seggos said. "At this time of year, people are more likely to see a young rabbit or a recently fledged bird in their yard and mistakenly think it needs help to survive. I encourage you to enjoy encounters with wildlife from afar and avoid approaching or touching the animal. Remember, if you care, leave it there." In its statement, the DEC also reminded the public that young wild animals are not pets. Keeping wildlife in captivity is illegal and harmful to the animal. Anyone who observes any animal that appears to be sick or behaving abnormally is asked to contact their DEC regional wildlife office. Read the full press release at dec [dot] ny [dot] gov.