The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society has suspended its Puffin Patrol Program to the public due to what it calls uncertainty around bird flu.

The annual program engages volunteers, both locals and tourists, to help juvenile puffins who become stranded after being attracted to artificial lighting on land.

CPAWS NL says the decision stems from advice from the Public Health Agency of Canada that says members of the public should not handle dead or wild birds in an area where there is a known bird flu outbreak.

Conservation Director Suzanne Dooley, says the decision was made to ask the public not to capture or touch recently fledged puffins this season, and to instead report all sightings to the Puffin and Petrel Patrol Page.

They say a dedicated and trained team will be able to respond to as many sightings as possible.

The organization says the situation will be assessed weekly and any updates will be given on their Puffin and Petrel Facebook page.

People in the area of the Witless Bay reserves are being asked to turn off unnecessary lighting when possible to help reduce potential attraction from fledglings.

The public should not touch sick, injured, or dead birds. Any such sightings should be reported to the Department of Fisheries, forestry, and Agriculture at 709-685-7273.