The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society has suspended its public puffin patrol program because of what it calls uncertainty about bird flu.
The annual program involves volunteers, both locals and tourists, to help young puffins who become stranded after being attracted by 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 with a known outbreak of bird flu.
Conservation manager Suzanne Dooley says the decision was made to ask the public not to catch or touch newly fledged puffins this season and 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 observations as possible.
The organization says the situation will be assessed weekly and any updates will be given on its Puffin and Petrel Facebook page.
People in the Witless Bay reserve area are asked to turn off unnecessary lighting where possible to help reduce the potential attraction of hatchlings.
The public must 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.