The provincial government is asking people not to touch or relocate wildlife they may encounter.

With spring upon us and more people heading into the wilderness, it is more likely for people to come across newborn offspring in the wild.

While well-meaning people might like to help newborns that appear to be alone or abandoned, wildlife officials say touching or moving a newborn animal can cause more problems leading to potential injury or even death.

In many cases, the parent might be a short distance away and could become aggressive. In addition, animals taken from their natural habitat may be separated from their parent and may not survive.

Meanwhile, officials say with the confirmation of avian flu in the wild bird population, the public is asked not to feed, touch or handle wild birds to avoid the potential spread of the illness.

Possession of captive wildlife is against the law.

Anyone who encounters a suspected sick, injured or abandoned animal in the wild is asked to report it to their local forestry office.