Cherry Hill, NJ Animal Ordinances: Bird Protection (2026)
Key Facts
- Covers
- Animals, wildlife, reptiles, birds
- Also protected
- Eggs and nests
- Exception
- Deadly poisonous snakes only
- Location
- All township parks/rec areas
- Max penalty
- $2,000 fine / 90 days
Summary
In every Cherry Hill Township park, it is illegal to hunt, molest, harm, trap or kill any bird, wildlife or reptile, or to take their eggs or nests, with a narrow exception only for snakes known to be deadly poisonous.
Hunt, molest, harm, frighten, kill, trap, pursue, chase, tease, shoot or throw missiles at any animal, wildlife, reptile or bird; nor shall be/she remove or have in his/her possession the young of any wild animal, or the eggs or nest, or young of any reptile or bird. Exception to the foregoing is made in that snakes, known to be deadly poisonous, or deadly reptiles, may be killed on sight.
Full Breakdown
9d of the Revised General Ordinances, part of the 'Damage to Park Property Prohibited' provision, bars any person from hunting, molesting, harming, frightening, killing, trapping, pursuing, chasing, teasing, shooting or throwing missiles at any animal, wildlife, reptile or bird within a township park. The same clause extends protection to nests and eggs, prohibiting anyone from removing or possessing the young of a wild animal or the eggs or nest of any reptile or bird. ' The rule is a park-conduct ordinance, not a general township-wide wildlife code; outside park boundaries, bird and wildlife protection in New Jersey runs primarily through state and federal law (the Endangered and Nongame Species Conservation Act and the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act), which Cherry Hill Township does not separately duplicate in its general code.
Violations & Fines
A person who hunts, harms or traps wildlife or birds in a Cherry Hill park, or takes eggs or nests, is subject to the Chapter 22 penalty at Section 22-3.2 and the citywide Section 1-5 schedule: up to a $2,000 fine, up to 90 days' imprisonment, or up to 90 days of community service, plus liability for any damage caused. Recreation Department attendants and police can eject the person and seize any trapping device or weapon on the spot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it illegal to disturb a bird's nest in a Cherry Hill park?
Can I kill a snake I find in a Cherry Hill Township park?
Does the park wildlife rule apply to fishing?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Cherry Hill
Compare Cherry Hill to another location·View the New Jersey animal ordinances overview
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