New York Consolidated Laws, Environmental Conservation Law - ENV § 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.