DO NOT FEED WILD ANIMALS AND BIRDS
The feeding of wild animals creates an unnatural increase in wildlife populations thereby causing an increase in nuisance wildlife activity. This unwanted wildlife activity causes frustrated area residents to take unwanted action such as trapping and relocating animals that are merely trying to take advantage of a food source. Studies have shown that many relocated animals do not survive, trapping and relocation also causes orphaned young to die of starvation and diseases to spread infecting healthy animal populations. Even the simple act of providing food for birds can cause a chain reaction attracting rats and mice which in turn attracts the larger predators like coyotes and foxes. Large flocks of birds that frequent certain areas generate a variety of problems including fouling of property, the spread of disease and declining populations of rarer species due to burgeoning populations of nuisance birds.
The feeding of wild animals causes them to become dependent on this food source making them lazy and unable to forage naturally for food, subsequently, these animals become aggressive towards both people and pets. This dependancy can cause normally secretive and shy wild animals to chase, harass, bite or attack both pets and humans while looking for a handout.
When we receive reports of wild animals that are approaching residents or becoming aggressive we are forced to address the issue of public safety. Animals that develop these abnormal behaviours or animals that have become accustomed to or unafraid of humans are captured and destroyed as they are considered a danger and a risk to public safety. An over-population of nuisance birds increases the possibility of drastic control measures due to health risks and the nuisance that they pose.
We, at Animal Services have invested much time and effort in educational materials to assist people in understanding and learning to co-exist with wildlife, we encourage residents to enjoy and appreciate our native wildlife. This is a difficult task if we are faced with complaints of over populated, nuisance, sick or tame wildlife. We realize that most intentions are good, however, the long term implications of feeding wildlife can be very serious for the wildlife and area residents. Therefore, we must insist that you refrain from providing food, of any kind, in an area accessible to wildlife. If you have any questions or require further information please contact our office Education line at 905-896-5000.