East Brunswick, NJ Animal Ordinances: Bird Protection (2026)
Key Facts
- Protected
- Any animal, reptile or bird in a Township park
- Nests
- Eggs, nests and young of any reptile or bird cannot be removed or possessed
- Listed species
- Anything designated endangered or protected by the NJDEP
- Hunting fine
- $50.00 first offense, $100.00 second offense
- Each day
- Continuing violation is a separate offense
- Scope
- Township parks, not Middlesex County parks
Summary
In East Brunswick Township parks, no person can hunt, molest, harm, frighten, kill, trap, chase or tease any bird, or possess a bird's eggs, nest or young. The same section bars collecting or possessing any animal, insect or plant designated endangered or protected by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.
No person shall engage in any of the following activities in a park: ... C. Wildlife. ... (1) Hunting. Hunt, molest, harm, frighten, kill, trap, chase, tease, shoot or throw missiles at any animal, reptile or bird; nor shall be remove or have in his possession the young of any wild animal or the eggs or nest or young of any reptile or bird. ... D. Endangered and protected species. Hunt, trap, kill, harm, collect, remove, have in his possession, give away, sell or offer to sell, buy or offer to buy or accept as a gift any specimen or part of a specimen alive or dead, of any of the species of animals, insects, and plants designated as endangered or protected by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.
Full Breakdown
Section 158-3 of the East Brunswick Township parks chapter lists what no person can do in a park. Paragraph C covers wildlife. Subparagraph (1) forbids hunting, molesting, harming, frightening, killing, trapping, chasing, teasing, shooting or throwing missiles at any animal, reptile or bird. It also bars removing, or having in possession, the young of any wild animal or the eggs or nest or young of any reptile or bird. The ban on disturbing a nest therefore protects eggs and chicks as well as adult birds.
Paragraph D adds a second layer for listed species. It bars hunting, trapping, killing, harming, collecting, removing, possessing, giving away, selling or offering to sell, buying or accepting as a gift any specimen or part of a specimen, alive or dead, of any species of animals, insects and plants designated as endangered or protected by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. That language was added by Ord. No. 85-637 and reaches parts of specimens, so a feather from a protected species falls within it.
Scope matters. Section 158-2 defines PARK as any area the Township owns, or uses, devoted to active or passive recreation or natural resource management, and separately defines COUNTY PARK as property owned by the County of Middlesex. WILDLIFE is defined as all animals that are neither human nor domesticated, and the term includes reptiles and birds. The chapter is titled the East Brunswick Township Ordinance Regulating Conduct in Parks, Public Lands, School Property and Indoor Public Places.
Violations & Fines
Section 158-12 makes violations punishable upon conviction under the penalties in Chapter 1, General Provisions, Article I, and each day a violation continues or is permitted to continue is a separate offense. Section 158-12A sets the park fine schedule: Hunting carries a $50.00 fine and $100.00 for a second offense, and Harm to Natural Features carries the same amounts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I remove a bird's nest from a Township park?
What about species listed as endangered?
Do these rules apply in county parks?
What is the fine for a first violation?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in East Brunswick
Compare East Brunswick to another location·View the New Jersey animal ordinances overview
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