A white-tailed fawn may be left alone for hours at a time by its mother, but shouldn’t be seen by  well-meaning wildlife watchers as vulnerable or in need of being rescued. /US Fish and Wildlife Service photo: Tom Koerner

DNREC Reminds Delawareans: ‘If You Find Them Alone, Leave Them Alone’

It’s coming up on the time of year when wildlife watchers in Delaware are most likely to happen upon young animals, particularly deer fawns, that appear to have been left alone, even abandoned in their natural environment – and “So tiny, so helpless … so cute!”, they look very much like they need rescuing by a kind public hand or two. Almost always, that’s not the case – rather, these young’uns are waiting for a parent’s return from foraging or from a nearby vantage of keeping a close eye on them. Thus an annual reminder from the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control: if you find them alone, leave them alone – because taking or “rescuing” a young animal from the wild almost inevitably means that it will not survive.

While young animals can appear to be abandoned, and occasionally are due to unfortunate circumstances, most often they are not, with their mothers usually in close proximity waiting for the nature-loving person who “discovered” their offspring to move on. Many wildlife species, including white-tailed deer, will leave their young to forage for food, returning a few times a day, while trusting their young’s natural instinct to lie quietly so as not to be detected by predators.

DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife puts particular emphasis on not intervening with newborn fawns, as Sam Millman, Delaware deer biologist in the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife points out: “Removing fawns from the wild can be stressful for the mother and be detrimental to the future of the young deer, since they cannot learn directly from their parent on how to survive in their natural environment.”

Another important insight from DNREC is that handling or removing wildlife can be harmful to both wildlife and humans. Precautions to take with wild animals, young and old, include:

• If you see a young wild animal alone, watch from a distance to see if its mother returns, but realize that could take several hours.
• Be aware that wild animals can be unpredictable and occasionally dangerous, especially if they are in pain.
• Keep pets away from wild animals, which can carry parasites such as fleas and ticks, or diseases such as rabies.
• Remember that it is illegal to raise or keep a live wild animal in Delaware.

During spring and summer months, rabies, which is occasionally found in wildlife, is more likely to be transmitted to humans and pets due to our increase in outdoor activities during this time of year. All the more reason to leave wildlife undisturbed and keep a safe distance between you and them.

For more help in trying to determine if a young wild animal is orphaned or injured, or is simply exhibiting normal behavior for a species in the wild instead of needing to be rescued, contact the Delaware Council of Wildlife Rehabilitators and Educators. To determine the appropriate course of action if a young wild animal appears injured, or if you are certain its parent is deceased, call the DNREC Wildlife Section at 302-739-9912, or toll-free after-hours and on weekends, at 800-523-3336.

About DNREC
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities and educates Delawareans about the environment. The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife conserves and manages Delaware’s fish and wildlife and their habitats, and provides fishing, hunting, wildlife viewing and boating access on nearly 68,000 acres of public land owned or managed by the Division of Fish and Wildlife. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter) or LinkedIn. 

Media Contacts: Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov; Joanna Wilson, joanna.wilson@delaware.gov

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DNREC and the City of Wilmington formally reopened the 7th Street Boating and Fishing Area as the culmination of a $2.9 million project using Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration funds plus settlement money from a 2004 oil spill on the Delaware River. At the ribbon cutting ceremony today were, left to right: City of Wilmington Parks Director Ian Smith; Wilmington City Councilman Vincent White; Delaware State Senator Darius Brown; DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife Construction Manager Jeremey Ashe; U.S. Senator Tom Carper; DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin; Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Fisheries Biologist Joshua Newhard; Wilmington City Councilwoman Zanthia Oliver; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fish Restoration Center Environmental Engineer Mary Andrews, and Delaware Fish and Wildlife Natural Resources Police Cpl. Bryan Whittington. /DNREC photo

$2.9 Million Project Benefits Eastside Community

The 7^th Street Boating and Fishing Area on the Christina River has officially reopened to the community. The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, in partnership with the City of Wilmington, celebrated the occasion with a ribbon-cutting ceremony held within the city’s John Barbiarz Park, where the facility is located. The $2.9 million revitalization project, primarily funded by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Funds plus a portion of settlement money for the state from the 2004 Athos I oil tanker spill in the Delaware River, features a reconstructed boat ramp and courtesy dock, refurbished fishing pier and an expanded parking lot for trailers.

The investment focused not only on renovation and restoration but also to significantly improve urban outdoor recreational opportunities for one of the city’s underserved communities, Eastside. Specifically, a portion of the $1.2 million in settlement money Delaware received from the spill was earmarked for the 7^th Street boat ramp in 2010 after the ramp had been partially destroyed over the years by strong tidal currents.

“Anglers and boaters have waited a long time for this day to have water access restored within the city of Wilmington,” said DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin. “And, we also celebrate benefiting Eastside residents with this upgrade to the city’s John Barbiarz Park, as part of DNREC’s commitment to provide healthy outdoor spaces for all Delawareans to enjoy throughout the state.”

“Over the past seven years we have invested heavily in our outdoor spaces and recreational facilities,” said Mayor Mike Purzycki. “From a renovated Hicks Anderson Community Center in West Center City to the new Urban Artist Exchange Amphitheater on the East Side, from a revamped Eden Park and new Abessinio Stadium to upgraded playgrounds and splash parks all across our City, we strive to provide the highest quality infrastructure for residents and visitors alike to enjoy. This project is another example of fulfilling our obligation to all of the varied communities that make Wilmington such a wonderful city in which to live, work, and play.”

“We appreciate the opportunity to work with the Delaware Department of Natural Resources, Division of Fish and Wildlife and the City of Wilmington on this exciting project to help connect people with nature,” said U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Northeast Regional Director Wendi Weber. “Nearly $2 million in federal funds helped support this project with funds from the Boating Access program within Sport Fish Restoration Program, which comes from excise taxes on fishing equipment, tackle, and the portion of the federal fuels tax attributable to motor boats. It is an investment that will have positive returns for years to come.”

With the ramp open at the end of 7^th Street, boaters and anglers heading out on the water now have easy access to the Delaware River from the confluence of the Christiana River and the Brandywine, as the fishing access area is less than two miles from the river. In addition to the boating access improvements, the city and state partnership also replaced the decking and refurbished the handrails on the fishing pier, which had been closed for many years. In addition to reviving fishing and boating access, the area also features new lighting for public safety.

Created by the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act, the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Funds are generated by excise taxes on sportfishing equipment and a portion of the federal gasoline tax. The funds are then distributed to the states by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Delaware uses its annual apportionment for access projects like the 7^th Street Boating and Fishing Area, and for DNREC’s ongoing research toward maintaining healthy fisheries in state waters.

About DNREC
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities and educates Delawareans about the environment. The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife conserves and manages Delaware’s fish and wildlife and their habitats, and provides fishing, hunting, wildlife viewing and boating access on nearly 68,000 acres of public land owned or managed by the Division of Fish and Wildlife. The DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation oversees more than 26,000 acres in 17 state parks and the Brandywine Zoo. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter) or LinkedIn. 

Media Contacts: Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov; Joanna Wilson, joanna.wilson@delaware.gov

DNREC has reopened the Mulberry Landing Boat Ramp within the Assawoman Wildlife Area near Bethany Beach after an extensive renovation that included expanding the parking lot /DNREC photo

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control announced today the reopening of the Mulberry Landing Boat Ramp, which is located at the end of Mulberry Landing Road within the Assawoman Wildlife Area near Bethany Beach.

The construction project began March 6 and included expansion of the ramp’s parking lot and paving the lot in its entirety. The expanded parking area now allows for 23 trailer parking spaces and seven car parking spaces. The upgrades made at Mulberry Landing by DNREC’s Fisheries Section enable a more efficient use of space at the ramp.

For more information about the Mulberry Landing boat ramp project, call the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife Fisheries Section at 302-739-9914.

About DNREC
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities and educates Delawareans about the environment. The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife conserves and manages Delaware’s fish and wildlife and their habitats, and provides fishing, hunting, wildlife viewing and boating access on nearly 68,000 acres of public land owned or managed by the Division of Fish and Wildlife. The DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation oversees more than 26,000 acres in 17 state parks and the Brandywine Zoo. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter) or LinkedIn. 

Media Contacts:  Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov; Joanna Wilson, joanna.wilson@delaware.gov

An adult piping plover parent guides two chicks along the species’ prime habitat of Delaware beachfront in 2023. Photo by Jessica McNulty.

Training Set Saturday, May 4 at Cape Henlopen State Park for Helping to Protect State’s Endangered and Threatened Birds

The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control is seeking volunteers who want to help protect Delaware’s beach-nesting birds – which include federally-listed threatened piping plovers and state-listed endangered American oystercatchers and others. Potential volunteers are invited to join a training session held by the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, May 4 at Cape Henlopen State Park’s Officers Club Mess Hall located on Queens Road in Lewes.

Volunteers who serve as monitors play an important and valuable role in the Division of Fish and Wildlife’s conservation efforts for beach-nesting birds. Stationed on the boundaries of the nesting areas, volunteers explain to beachgoers the importance of closing sections of the beach to prevent human disturbance, thus helping increase the nesting success of the birds.

The volunteer training session will begin with light refreshments and a slideshow presentation, followed by discussion about the beach-nesting bird monitoring program and how volunteers can help to ensure that these shorebirds are not disturbed while nesting and rearing chicks during the summer months. Weather and time permitting, the group will finish the training session by venturing out to the Point at Cape Henlopen to look for piping plovers and other shorebirds likely to be feeding on the tidal flats. Binoculars will be available for use, but volunteers are encouraged to bring their own optics if they have them.

The Division of Fish and Wildlife encourages volunteers to submit an interest form prior to the training, but volunteer walk-ups can also receive training to become beach-nesting bird monitors. Park entrance fees will be waived for volunteers attending the training at Cape Henlopen State Park. For more information on the training, about beach-nesting birds, or about volunteer monitoring efforts, visit de.gov/pipingplovers or email DNREC Coastal Waterbird Biologist Katherine Christie at deshorebirds@delaware.gov.

About DNREC
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities and educates Delawareans about the environment. The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife conserves and manages Delaware’s fish and wildlife and their habitats, and provides fishing, hunting, wildlife viewing and boating access on nearly 68,000 acres of public land owned or managed by the Division of Fish and Wildlife. The DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation oversees more than 26,000 acres in 17 state parks and the Brandywine Zoo. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter) or LinkedIn. 

Media Contacts:  Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov; Joanna Wilson, joanna.wilson@delaware.gov

A young angler shows off his catch at last year’s Youth Fishing Tournament. /DNREC photo.

Preregistration Open Now for Ages 4 to 15 to Fish at Three Ponds

Families are invited to bring their kids out to try casting a line for a big fish in three of the First State’s freshwater public ponds when the Fish and Wildlife Delaware Natural Resources Police hosts its 38th annual Youth Fishing Tournament from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, June 1, 2024. Held at Ingrams Pond in Sussex County, Akridge Scout Reservation in Kent County, and Lums Pond in New Castle County, the tournament is free of charge and will be held rain or shine. Preregistration is required by Friday, May 17.

Tournament weighmasters onsite at each pond weigh catches for participants ages 4 through 15 to determine each county’s top catch and age group titles, as well as the title of overall state winner. Trophies for the three county winners and the overall state winner will be presented at the Delaware State Fair in July.

Sponsored by the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Division of Fish and Wildlife and the Delaware Natural Resources Police, the Delaware Youth Fishing Tournament was established to introduce youth to the sport of fishing and to teach the catch-and-release approach to conservation. More information on the Youth Fishing Tournament can be found at de.gov/yft.

About DNREC
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities and educates Delawareans about the environment. The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife conserves and manages Delaware’s fish and wildlife and their habitats, and provides fishing, hunting, wildlife viewing and boating access on nearly 68,000 acres of public land owned or managed by the Division of Fish and Wildlife. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter) or LinkedIn. 

Media Contacts: Joanna Wilson, joanna.wilson@delaware.gov; Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov