Report an Issue

Injured or Orphaned Wildlife

If you’ve come across injured or orphaned wildlife, the best thing to do is immediately contact a wildlife rehabilitation center. Knowledgeable staff will be able to advise you on the next steps. This includes reptiles and amphibians, as well as adult and baby birds, and mammals that you believe are hurt or abandoned. 

 

A note on baby deer: fawns are often left by their mothers, sometimes for days, as they grow strong enough to keep up. Only call a wildlife rehabilitation center if you see a fawn that is clearly injured  (bleeding, broken leg, etc).

Rabid Animal 

Rabies is a viral infection that is usually spread through the scratch or bite of an infected animal. In the US, it is most common in raccoons, coyotes, skunks, bats, and foxes. Symptoms include sluggishness, disorientation, paralysis, or aggression. If you see an animal exhibiting any of these behaviors, do not approach the animal, and keep your dog on a leash.

 

If you see an animal on one of Wissahickon Trails’ trails exhibiting these symptoms, first contact Pennsylvania Game Commission Southeast Regional Headquarters at 610-926-3136. Give the dispatcher a description of the animal and the location where you saw it. The dispatcher will notify a game warden who will locate the animal as soon as possible. After contacting the Game Commission, please contact our offices so that we can notify other trail users. 

Dead or Road-Killed Deer

If you find a deer that has been killed, do not approach the animal or try to move it. Instead, contact the Game Commision office that serves the county in which you’ve found the animal. They handle cleanup.

 

For all counties surrounding Wissahickon Trails, contact the Southeast Regional Headquarters at 610-926-316. 

Water Pollution Incident 

If you see a chemical spill or other environmental emergency that affects local waterways, or if you see a large number of dead fish in the Wissahickon Creek or any of its tributaries, contact your regional Department of Environmental Protection office. For counties surrounding Wissahickon Trails, contact the Southeast Regional Office at 484-250-5900. To report an urgent emergency after business hours, call 1-800-541-2050.

 

Please also notify Wissahickon Trails of any local water incidents so that we are aware of risks to the creek and the public. Call our office after you call PADEP.

Illegal Hunting, Trapping, or Dumping

If you see illegal hunting, trapping, or dumping (trash or animals) on Wissahickon Trails property, do not confront the person. Keep yourself safe. Instead, please contact Wissahickon Trails’ Conservation Director, John Ferro, at 215-646-8866.

Fallen Tree

If you see a fallen tree or other obstruction on one of our trails or on neighboring properties, please notify us immediately. Call our Conservation Director, John Ferro, at 215-646-8866.