MONTPELIER, Vt. — Watching wildlife is enjoyable, especially when young animals appear in the spring. But it is best to keep your distance. Picking up young wildlife can do more harm than good, according to the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, and it is also against the law.
When people see young animals alone, they often mistakenly assume these animals are helpless or lost, in trouble or needing to be rescued. Bringing young wildlife into a human environment often results in permanent separation from their mothers and a sad ending for the animal.
Handling wildlife could also pose a threat to the people involved. Wild animals can transmit disease and angry wildlife mothers can pose significant dangers.
Department scientists encourage wildlife watchers to respect the behavior of animals in the spring and early summer, and to resist the urge to assist wildlife in ways that may be harmful. Here are some helpful tips:
• Deer and moose nurse their young at different times during the day, and often leave young alone for long periods of time. These animals are not lost. Their mother knows where they are and will return.
• Young birds on the ground may have left their nest, but their parents will still feed them.
• Young animals such as fox and raccoon will often follow their mother. The mother of a wildlife youngster is usually nearby but just out of sight to a person happening upon it.
• Animals that act sick can carry rabies, parasites or other harmful diseases. Do not handle them. Even though they do not show symptoms, healthy-looking raccoons, foxes, skunks, and bats may also be carriers of the deadly rabies virus.
• Many wildlife species will not feed or care for their young when people are close by. Obey signs that restrict access to wildlife nesting areas, including hiking trails that may be temporarily closed.
• Keep domestic pets indoors, leashed or fenced in. Dogs and cats kill many baby animals each year.
• Avoid projects that remove trees, shrubs and dead snags that contain nests during the spring and summer.
For information about rabies and wildlife conflicts, or truly orphaned wildlife (i.e. the adult has been hit by a car) call the Vermont Rabies Hotline at 1-800-4RABIES (1-800-472-2437) or, in Massachusetts, call your animal inspector or animal control officer.
For the safety of all wildlife, taking a wild animal into captivity is illegal, even one you suspect is sick, injured or has been abandoned.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.
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Southern Vermont College Moving Towards Five Star Status
Staff Reports
BENNINGTON, Vt.— Dartmouth Health's Southwestern Vermont Health Care (SVHC), announced next steps around the redevelopment of the former Southern Vermont College campus in Bennington.
In March of 2023, SVHC entered into a purchase and sale agreement of the campus with Alfred Weissman Real Estate, LLC (AWRE). Since then, AWRE has been working toward the development of a five-star destination resort.
"AWRE has made major progress in finding the right hospitality brand partner for this project," said SVHC CEO and president Thomas A. Dee. "While we can't speak on their behalf, we want our community to know that plans are advancing. We're supportive of their direction and we believe this project will have an immensely positive impact on Bennington and our entire region."
The proposed five-star resort would include both fine and casual dining, a beauty and health spa, a fitness/wellness center, special events venue and other amenities. The project also includes an extensive historic restoration of the Everett Mansion for use as luxury accommodations and fine dining.
According to AWRE's website, the 30,000 square foot Everett Mansion will be restored to a reception lounge, wine cellar, a fine dining restaurant, spa and guestrooms. Former residential buildings will be gutted and redeveloped into luxury suites. The former gymnasium will be converted into a 17,000 square foot event and activity space.
The hotel will offer tennis, snow shoeing, equestrian, bowling, movie screening room, ice skating, a summer resort pool, indoor pool, miles of blazed hiking trails, mountain biking, a sporting club and even a luxury dog kennel with K9 Spa.
Access to the Bennington Area Trail System (BATS), at the trail heads on and around the property, will remain open to the public and available, throughout the redevelopment. Following completion of the project there will be a new dedicated parking lot.
"Once AWRE finalizes its brand partner — in the near future— the necessary regulatory reviews and permitting processes will get underway," said Dee. "We're hopeful this project will break ground next summer."
In March of 2023, SVHC entered into a purchase and sale agreement of the campus with Alfred Weissman Real Estate, LLC (AWRE). Since then, AWRE has been working toward the development of a five-star destination resort. click for more
The game-winning rally started when Pittsfield junior Jack Abel led off by crushing a 1-1 pitch to left-center and racing all the way to third base, sliding in just ahead of the tag to give the Generals a sterling scoring opportunity. click for more
The Pittsfield baseball team Saturday rallied for five runs in the top of the sixth inning to break a 5-5 tie and went on to a 12-5 win over Clinton in the quarter-finals of the Division 4 State Tournament. click for more
Amanda Pou was named the most valuable player of the regional final after striking out four and walking none in a complete-game effort in the circle. She also ripped a two-run double in Pittsfield’s four-run fourth-inning rally to break open a scoreless game. click for more
