With trout season now underway in 18 eastern Pennsylvania streams, the state Department of Heath is reminding anglers that stream- and lake-caught fish are good and good for you, as long as you don't eat too much.

All sport-caught fish in Pennsylvania are subject to a one-meal per week consumption advisory, a limit that is especially recommended for pregnant and breast-feeding women, women who may become pregnant and children. Wild fish in some areas shouldn't be eaten at all, but it's unlikely trout would be caught in those waters.

The state conducts routine sampling of wild fish and hatchery trout. Those raised in the state's eight hatcheries are regularly tested for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Tests conducted this year, said the Health Department, showed no need for upgrading general guidelines.

Detailed consumption recommendations are available at www.depweb.state.pa.us, www.health.state.pa.us and www.fish.state.pa.us.

Do not disturb

Baby animals look cute and cuddly, but with the arrival of spring the Pennsylvania Game Commission reminds you to leave them alone.

This time of year, it's common to find wild animals that appear to have been abandoned, alone or fallen from a nest. In most cases, the animal's primary care giver is probably nearby, waiting for people to go away. If that's not reason enough to maintain a hands-off policy, consider this: reported cases of rabies in Pennsylvania increased from 406 in 2005 to 505 in 2006, and removing live animals from the wild is illegal with fines up $1,500 per animal.

Cougar talk

We're still getting calls about the recent story about possible Pennsylvania cougar sighting. Answers to your questions may be found at Slippery Rock's Jennings Environmental Education Center, where at 2 p.m. April 15 Eastern Cougar Foundation member Kerry Gyekis will share his knowledge of the mysterious animal's history, range, biology and possible future.

The foundation investigates possible sightings of the eastern mountain lion. For more information call 724-794-6011.