Wildlife

We share our community with a wide variety of wildlife. Even in urban areas, wildlife is part of a healthy, natural environment.

The Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) is responsible for addressing wildlife related issues within the province of Ontario. The MNR typically only assigns priority to emergency situations however they can be reached at 1-800-667-1940

Below you will find information on:

nuisance wildlife
sick, injured or orphaned wildlife
public health and rabies

Avian Influenza

Avian Influenza (H5N1) is a type of influenza A virus which is mainly found in wild birds. Avian influenza can also infect domestic poultry, such as chickens and turkeys, and less commonly, mammals. Human infections with avian influenza are rare.

With geese and migratory birds starting to return to our area, there have been multiple cases of birds that have been found deceased and are presumed to be infected with Avian Influenza (H5N1), also known as bird flu. Avian Influenza is a contagious viral infection that can affect domestic and wild birds throughout the world, less commonly infecting mammals. It occurs naturally in wild birds and due to migration, can circulate in this population.

The Township and The Durham Regional Health Department are currently monitoring the situation and recommends residents read the following FAQs below to reduce the spread of Avian Flu in migratory birds:

Frequently asked questions:

What should I do if I find dead birds on private property?

Check with your local municipality for approved methods of disposing of dead birds. If your municipality allows, residents can bury or double bag dead birds and place in garbage for your regular garbage pick-up. Large numbers of dead wild birds should be managed as instructed by the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative.

Report sick or dead wild birds on the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative online reporting tool.

When handling dead birds:

Wear gloves at all times when handling wild bird carcasses and avoid contact with blood, body fluids and feces.
Use a small shovel to move the bird if possible, even while wearing gloves and place dead bird in a double bag.
Place the bag carefully in a covered garbage container where it will be out of reach of pets, curious children or scavengers.
Clean and disinfect any tools used in a solution of at least one part bleach to nine parts water.
Wash your hands thoroughly with soapy, warm water or use hand sanitizer, even if gloves are worn.

What should I do if I find dead birds on municipal property?

Dead migratory birds found on municipal property should be reported to your local municipality for pick-up.

How do I report any dead or sick bird sightings?

Please report dead or sick birds to the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative online reporting tool or by

phone: 1-866-673-4781.

What are some recommendations for pet owners?

Limit interactions between pets and wild birds.
Do not feed pets any raw meat from wild birds or poultry.
Consult with your veterinarian for more information on avian influenza in pets.

Are there any recommendations when feeding wild birds in my backyard?

Feeders should be removed from areas that are open to poultry and other domestic animals.
If you care for poultry, prevent and/or eliminate contact between wild birds and poultry (e.g., include the removal of exterior/outdoor sources of food, water, and shelter that attract wild birds).
Backyard bird feeders and baths should be cleaned regularly, at least every two weeks, using a solution of one part household bleach to nine parts water. Ensure that they are well rinsed and dried before re-use.
If sick birds are observed near bird feeders, the feeders should be removed and the sick birds reported to the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative.

How can I protect domestic and captive birds?

Limit access of domestic birds to the outdoors and ponds or bodies of water used by wild birds.
Owners must minimize contact between wild birds and their small flocks.

Are poultry and eggs safe to eat?

According to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), there is no evidence to suggest that eating cooked poultry or eggs could transmit avian flu to humans. Practice safe food handling and cooking practices for poultry and poultry products (eggs).

Who conducts wild bird surveillance?

Wild bird surveillance is conducted through a collaboration between:

CFIA (HPAI in wildlife dashboard)
Environment and Climate Change Canada
Public Health Agency of Canada
Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative (CWHC)

Who is monitoring potential positive cases in birds at poultry farms/agricultural environments?

The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) are the lead agencies for tracing cases in birds on farms or in other facilities that process poultry.

Durham Region Health Department works with other public health units to follow any farm/agricultural workers who may have been exposed to avian influenza. There have been no human cases in Durham Region.

Black Bears

The Ontario government and the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) are reminding the public to exercise caution as black bears begin to come out of hibernation. When the winter weather is mild and lack of snow, there can be reports of black bears coming out of hibernation early in some parts of the province.

In the spring, there is little natural food for bears, causing them to search for other food sources, including garbage and bird feed.

From August through to the end of October the black bear is taking in as many calories as they can to build their weight and grow their very thick coats for the winter months.

The Ministry of Natural Resources deals with calls regarding bears. They have a Bear Wise program intended to inform you on how to prevent and report black bear sightings.

Bears usually avoid humans, but they are attracted into urban and rural areas in order to get food.

Below are some tips to help minimize your interactions with a bear:

Keep your dog on a leash! Uncontrolled, untrained dogs may lead a bear to you
Do not leave food or garbage laying around, please use garbage cans provided
Stay on the paths and do not wander into forested areas
Scan your surroundings and do not wear music headphone
Watch for signs of bear activity (ex:, tracks, claw marks on trees, flipped-over rocks or fresh bear droppings)
If you see a bear, slowly walk in the opposite direction. Do not run.

In the event of an emergency, please call 911

Further information on bears can be found at bearsmart.com

Coyotes

Sightings of coyotes are very normal, and like birds, squirrels, raccoons and other animals. Below are a few measures residents can take for coyotes, wildlife, pets and people to safely and comfortably coexist.

Give coyotes space.
Discourage their visits to residential yards by installing motion-sensitive lighting, keeping meat products out of compost bins, remembering not to leave pet or human food outdoors, and storing garbage in secure containers.
Reduce contact with coyotes by avoiding the areas they frequent, especially at key activity hours during dawn and dusk.
If you encounter a coyote, stay calm and let him move on. Do not approach. If you feel threatened, make a loud noise or sudden movement to scare the animal off. Most likely, a coyote that stops to stare is only curious and has no plan to approach or attack. On solitary walks, carry a personal alarm, flashlight and umbrella you can open and close to frighten off a coyote if one does approach.

Coyotes are omnivores and will eat whatever is available such as small mammals and birds, carrion, fruit and improperly stored garbage. The coyote's diet will also change depending on its surrounding environment.

Natural Diet	Small rodents such as mice, groundhogs and rabbits. Also birds, eggs, snakes, turtles, frogs, fish, fruit, plants, carrion and road kill. They are not known to hunt deer but may try to hunt sheep or young calves if in desperate need.
Urban Diet	Garbage that overflows from residential dumpsters or garbage that is carelessly stored outdoors. Garbage often attracts mice and rats, which in turn attracts coyotes and foxes into residential areas.
Outdoor Animals	Cats (allowed outdoors) Rabbits (confined in pens) Livestock (poultry and other non-pets)

For more information on Coyotes and to learn basic facts about natural coyote behaviour, please take the e-learning course created by the City of Toronto and Coyote Watch Canada. The course discusses how both animals and people can remain safe around coyotes.

Further information can be found at coyotewatchcanada.com or visit the Canadian Association for Humane Trapping (CAHT) website for fact sheets and information on the biology and awareness of coyotes.

Raccoons and Skunks

When we see raccoons and skunks near our homes, especially during the day, we can quickly become concerned. it is not necessary to become overly concerned with wild animals we see out during the day. Here are some tips to understand their behaviour so you can know what to report.

Never approach wildlife. Keep children and pets away from all wildlife.
While raccoons and skunks are primarily nocturnal (they are awake at night and sleep during the day) they are often seen out during the day in the spring. During the day babies are usually sleeping and this gives mother raccoons and skunks a chance to look for food.
Raccoons and skunks usually hibernate and sleep for the winter months. If we see them out during the day in the spring they may simply be groggy and disoriented as they wake from hibernation.
When we have warm and mild winters, old or infirm animals are more likely to survive and we may see more unhealthy animals in the spring.
Be very careful around any animal that is circling, somersaulting, dragging its back end, or has discharge from its eyes or nose. These symptoms can mean the animal is suffering head trauma from being hit by a car, distemper, or rabies. Rabies can only be positively diagnosed by testing the brain of the animal.
If you are having an ongoing problem with raccoons, skunks, or other wildlife, remove sources of food and water on your property.
For more information, or to report a concern, see the contact information above.

Distemper Virus

Canine distemper virus (CDV) is a highly contagious disease that can cause severe and sometimes fatal respiratory, gastrointestinal, and neurological issues. Dogs and various species of wildlife can become infected with and transmit CDV.

Distemper virus is spreading amongst the raccoon population in and around Brock Township. As this disease spreads easily from wildlife to owned pets, we want pet owners to be aware of the presence of this disease in our area. The most important thing pet owners can do to protect their pet is to ensure they are vaccinated and up-to-date on their boosters for canine distemper virus (CDV).

What do I do if I see a sick raccoon?

Any sightings of sick or injured wildlife should be reported during regular business hours to Brock Animal Services immediately by calling the Township of Brock at 705-432-2884 or by emailing animalcontrol@brock.ca. Wildlife calls are not attended to after hours, but residents are encouraged to call and report the last location of the sighting to animal services staff in addressing the issue when the conditions are safe to do so.

Never touch or interact with, or allow pets or children to interact with, wildlife of any kind. Do NOT attempt to trap or relocate wildlife.

Please visit these websites for more information.

Living with Wildlife: Raccoons - Ontario SPCA and Humane Society

Canine distemper | ontario.ca

Wild Turkeys

Wild turkeys are being observed more frequently in our community. Wild turkeys are normally shy birds that avoid human activity, however, they can become a nuisance when they become reliant on people for food.

To avoid encountering wild turkeys always keep your garbage contained, keeps pets on a leash and never feed wildlife, including wild turkeys.

Wild Turkeys are just like any other wildlife species and should be left alone and watched from a distance

Sick, Injured or Orphaned Wildlife

Animal Control staff responds to sick and injured wild animals during regular business hours for the purposes of assisting wild animals that are in a state of distress and to protect the safety of the public. Wild animals sick and injured are assessed and either taken to veterinarian or a licensed wildlife rehabber. After hours Wildlife emergencies are only attended via a call for assistance by local Police.

If you have questions or concerns about wildlife you may also call the Toronto Wildlife Hotline at (416) 631-0662 and follow the appropriate prompts to leave a message. They aim to return emergency calls within the hour between 9am and 6pm.

If the wild animal is very active and mobile, keep children and pets indoors until it moves on. Remove attractants from your property i.e. outdoor cats, food, garbage. If you feel unsafe or feel you may be in immediate danger please contact the Durham Regional Police for assistance.

A wild animal usually has a higher chance of survival if left alone. If you feel the animal requires medical treatment contact a certified wildlife custodian for further assistance:

Public Health and Rabies

Rabies is an infectious disease that is caused by a virus distributed through various mammals, including wild and domestic animals. The rabies virus is spread from either animal to animal or animal to human through the saliva of an infected animal i.e. bites, scratches, licks on broken skin.

Visit the Region of Durham website for information about rabies, including how to report an animal bite.

Additional information on rabies is provided on the Ministry of Natural Resources website.

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