Search Results for: wildlife

Coyote Panic and Co-existing with Wildlife

There has been a great deal of coverage in the media regarding a string of attacks by one coyote in the Riverside South area. Scary-sounding headlines such as ‘’aggressive coyote problem has gone on too long’’ and ‘’coyote strikes again’’ rob us of having meaningful discussions around making communities safe while coexisting with wildlife.

So, how frequent are coyote attacks? According to the Canid Conservation Science Lab at the University of Calgary, the risk is extremely low. Their research shows that on average, 2.4 Canadians per year are either bitten or scratched by a coyote, and there has only been one known fatal human incident ever reported in Canada.

Wildlife conflicts are largely due to expanding city boundaries. As the city grows, more land is developed, and wild animals lose habitat. With a new official city plan to be tabled this fall calling for expanded urban boundaries, and city growth expected to result in 1.4 million residents over the next 25 years, these conflicts will only increase.

We need to do a better job at learning how to coexist with wild animals. We won’t do this with frightening headlines. We can only do it with science, getting the best advice and using both to plan development and to educate the public.

New urban development needs to be planned with wildlife in mind. And the public needs to be better informed. Too many people move to a wildlife habitat that has been cleared for new development, and either expect that the area be cleared of all wildlife, or start feeding them as sort-of outdoor pets. Well, to a coyote, those delightful squirrels and rabbits you are feeding are dinner, and nothing attracts a coyote like dinner.

We can do better. We need to do better. Animal lives depend on it.

Bruce Roney
President & CEO

For more information, check out Coyote Watch Canada, a not-for-profit community-based wildlife organization which advocates positive human-wildlife experiences with a focus on canids. They train law enforcement and city officials in how to deal with a coyote encounter. Their hotline is open 24/7 to provide immediate support to anyone dealing with a coyote encounter. They also educate residents through public presentations.

Wildlife FAQs

Humane Wildlife Solutions

Wildlife issues are frustrating. However, wildlife issues are temporary problems and there are solutions. It seems daunting, but if you work out a solution, you can make sure you never have this problem again. Property owners are responsible for dealing with their wildlife situation humanely and legally.

Here are some questions to ask a wildlife control agency to ensure their practices are humane:

  • Where will the animal(s) be relocated?
    Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources regulations prohibit the moving of animals more than one kilometer. If the operator tells you the animal is to be moved further, he or she does not understand the law or is intending to break it on your behalf.
  • Is your company familiar with the birthing seasons of all species of wildlife in this area?
    The company should be well versed in each species birthing season i.e. Raccoons – March & June, Squirrels – Spring & late summer/early Fall, Groundhogs – April/May, Skunks – May/June.
  • Does your company provide removal of wildlife during the birthing season?
    The removal of wildlife during the birthing season may cause orphans and death if not done properly. Responsible operators will suggest a ‘grace period’ until the young can be safely removed along with the mother or until they vacate on their own.
  • Does your company provide humane animal proofing as part of the overall solution package before or after attempting removals?
    In most situations, this will prevent further conflict and will be cost effective for the homeowner. Responsible operators will tell you this. Others will not and are perhaps looking for repeat business.
  • Does your company provide conflict resolution and education?
    The companies should be well versed in each species and may be able to give homeowners solutions that may be less risky for the animal than removal.
  • Is your company familiar with the biology and behavior of local species of small wildlife?
    In order to effectively deal with each species, they must be familiar with the habits, behaviors, etc. of the various species common to this geographical area. They should know whether or not an animal is nocturnal or diurnal, where the animal commonly makes its home, how many young each species may have, etc.
  • Does your company comply with the Ontario Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act?
    This is an absolute requirement, as the OMNR will prosecute non-compliant companies or members of the public who take matters into their own hands.
  • Has your staff had pre-exposure rabies vaccinations or any other vaccinations?
    This is a health and safety concern. Responsible operators will protect their staff.
  • What type of training do you provide your employees?
    Wildlife operators should have hands-on training and continue to keep themselves updated on all issues around wildlife as the law and ‘best practices’ change over time.

Wildlife Problems

If you find a sick or injured wild animal, here are the steps you can take. If you need more help, call the City of Ottawa at 311.

For large wildlife, such as deer, moose and bear, please call Ottawa Police Services at 613-236-1222.

As urban development encroaches on previously untamed areas, more human-wildlife conflicts result. These animals have largely managed to adapt well to our presence. Humans, on the other hand, are still mastering this living arrangement. It is important for people to understand the need for effective, lasting, and humane solutions to occasional conflicts with wildlife.

Here are the solutions to some common wildlife problems:

If you can’t find the answer to your wildlife question and it’s not an emergency, contact the Ottawa Humane Society at 613-725-3166 ext. 221, or send us an email.

Wildlife Babies

If you find a sick or injured wild animal, here are the steps you can take. If you need more help, call the City of Ottawa at 311.

For large wildlife, such as deer, moose and bear, please call Ottawa Police Services at 613-236-1222.

Stumbling upon a baby animal that needs help usually brings out the maternal instincts in all of us. But spotting a baby animal by himself doesn’t necessarily mean he’s an orphan. Many wildlife parents leave their young alone during the day, sometimes for long periods. The mother is usually nearby and quite conscious of her young. Also, keep in mind that despite their small size, many young animals are actually independent enough to fend for themselves.

How can you tell if an animal needs your help or should be left alone? If an animal needs your help, you will see one or more of the following signs:

  • A wild animal presented to you by a cat or dog
  • Bleeding
  • An apparent or obvious broken limb
  • Shivering or coldness to the touch
  • Evidence of a dead parent nearby
  • Unusual or uneven loss of fur
  • Difficult or raspy breathing or sneezing
  • Body covered in fleas

Is the Juvenile or Baby Animal Really an Orphan?
Juvenile or Baby Deer or Moose
Juvenile or Baby Foxes
Juvenile or Baby Rabbits
Juvenile or Baby Raccoons
Juvenile or Baby Skunks
Juvenile or Baby Squirrels

Position Statements

If You Care, Leave Them There
Raccoon family 
Beware
the Ides of March, the soothsayer told Caesar, foretelling the day he would be
assassinated. In the Spring of 2015, the dire message should go to our local
wildlife.
As
the temperature warms, wildlife becomes more active and birthing season soon
follows. Humans start to go outdoors
more and the wildlife/people conflict begins to heat up too. The most obvious sign is the carnage on our roadways
that we begin to witness. The sign here
at the OHS is the influx of wild animals. Sadly, many of these creatures will
be juveniles that would have been safer had they been left where they were. There simply aren’t enough rehabilitation
spaces for all the wildlife in our region, and most didn’t need our help in the
first place.
I
know that stumbling upon a baby animal that appears to need help brings out a
helping instinct in all of us but spotting a baby animal by himself doesn’t necessarily
mean he’s an orphan. Many wildlife parents leave their young alone during the day,
sometimes for long periods. The mother is usually nearby and quite
conscious of her young. Also, keep in mind that despite their small size,
many young animals are actually independent enough to fend for themselves.
Many wildlife parents leave their young alone during the day.
How you tell if an animal needs your
help or should be left alone? If an animal needs your help, you will see one or
more of the following signs:

  • A wild animal presented
    to you by a cat or dog
  • Bleeding
  • An apparent or obvious
    broken limb
  • Evidence of a dead
    parent nearby
  • Unusual or uneven loss
    of fur
  • Difficult or raspy
    breathing or sneezing
  • Body covered in fleas
Otherwise, please, if you care, leave him
there. 
For more information about wildlife and
human wildlife conflicts, please visit https://ottawahumane.ca/protection/wildlifeissues.cfm
before you act. 
Bruce Roney
OHS Executive Director 

If you Care, Leave Them There

As the summer temperature soars, wildlife becomes more active. Humans go outdoors more and the wildlife/people conflict begins to heat up too. The most obvious sign is the carnage on our roadways that we begin to witness. The sign here at the OHS is the influx of wild animals. Sadly, many of these creatures will be juveniles that would have been safer had they been left where they were. There simply aren’t enough rehabilitation spaces for all the wildlife in our region, and most didn’t need our help in the first place.

I know that stumbling upon a baby animal that appears to need help brings out a helping instinct in all of us but spotting a baby animal by himself doesn’t necessarily mean he’s an orphan. Many wildlife parents leave their young alone during the day, sometimes for long periods. The mother is usually nearby and quite conscious of her young. Also, keep in mind that despite their small size, many young animals are actually independent enough to fend for themselves.

How you tell if an animal needs your help or should be left alone? If an animal needs your help, you will see one or more of the following signs:

  • A wild animal presented to you by a cat or dog
  • Bleeding
  • An apparent or obvious broken limb
  • Evidence of a dead parent nearby
  • Unusual or uneven loss of fur
  • Difficult or raspy breathing or sneezing
  • Body covered in fleas

Otherwise, if you care, leave him there. 

For more information about wildlife and human wildlife conflicts, please visit our FAQs before you act.

Bruce Roney
President & CEO

2020 Media Releases

View 2019 releases

Live Trapping and Relocation

It’s natural to think that trapping and relocating is the answer but stop and read this first.

Live trapping may seem like an immediate and easy fix to your wildlife problem, however it is only a temporary solution. The homeowner should take action to determine what attracted the animal to their property and remove and/or repair the sources of attraction. Otherwise, another animal will take up residence once the other (trapped) animal has been removed, which can turn into a frustrating, reoccurring problem. Wildlife-proofing your home and property is a long-term, preventative, and humane solution.

Why can’t I trap wildlife and move the animal(s) to another area?

Many people think that live trapping is a humane option because it does not result in the animal’s immediate death. In reality, live-trapping and relocation is inhumane, cruel and ill-advised for the following reasons:

  • Live-trapping causes great stress for the trapped animal, and they may seriously injure themselves as they desperately attempt to escape.
  • The trapped animal is exposed to the elements and can suffer from painful cases of frostbite and heat stroke. If an animal is left in the trap it will suffer for days and will eventually die of exposure or starvation.
  • Domestic animals and other wildlife may harass the trapped animal causing further stress, injury or death.
  • Trapped and relocated animals may be separated from their young, and the dependent young left behind will die an inhumane death.
  • Relocated animals are at an extreme disadvantage in a new environment. They have to find food, water and shelter in an unfamiliar territory. There may be territorial disputes between the relocated animal and resident animals that can lead to injury and even death. Relocated animals may also spread disease to the resident wildlife population, therefore causing other animals to become ill and/or die.
  • In Ontario, it is illegal to trap and relocate animals 1 KM from the site where they were captured according to the Ministry of Natural Resources’ Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act.
  • Improper use of a live trap, which results in animal suffering, could lead to animal cruelty charges through the Ontario PAWS Act.

Although people’s initial reaction may be to get rid of wild animals, trapping will not solve the problem. As long as an inviting habitat exists, wild animals will use it.

The Ottawa Humane Society does not rent or sell humane traps for the purpose of trapping and relocating wild animals.

Source: Ontario Ministry of the Solicitor General, the Ottawa-Carleton Wildlife Centre and the Humane Society of the United States.

For more information on wildlife, contact the Ottawa Humane Society at 613-725-3166 ext. 221, or send us an email.

Info on wildlife conflicts