What you need to know about Canada Geese
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Tips for sharing Vaughan with urban wildlife
With the arrival of spring, Vaughan’s urban wildlife are
starting to den and nest and prepare for new life – and that includes Canada
Geese.
The City of Vaughan
receives many inquiries about these nests each year, including whether or not
staff can move them to more appropriate locations than the ones sometimes
chosen by the geese. This is not possible – Canada Geese are protected by the
Federal Government under the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994. No one has
the authority to remove or relocate Canada Geese, including their eggs and
nests. For more information, visit the Government of Canada’s website for more information.
Vaughan Animal Services
will respond to calls about sick or injured geese.
Here are tips on how
you can live peacefully with urban wildlife.
Be wildlife aware
Know your surroundings
while enjoying nature – keep a safe and respectful distance from wild animals,
their dens and nests. Going near wildlife dens is not safe for you or the
animals living in them. It is unlawful to disturb or cause distress to wildlife
and is subject to a $900 fine.
Coyotes
Coyote sightings in
cities and rural areas are common and should not be cause for alarm. The City
understands their presence can become a challenge in residential areas, and
they can also be intimidating to some people.
If you encounter a
coyote, keep your distance and keep pets on a short leash. If the coyote
approaches you directly:
- stop: pick up children and small pets, if necessary.
- stand your ground: never run from a coyote, fox or domestic dog.
- make yourself big: wave your hands above your head.
- be loud and assertive: shout, stomp your feet and clap your hands.
- use a noisemaker: it could be your voice, a party horn, pots and pans banged together, a shaker can (such as a pop can filled with pebbles), a plastic bag (pull it out of your pocket and snap it around), or an umbrella popping open and closed.
- slowly back away: be assertive as you leave, so the animal knows it is not welcome.
Never feed wildlife
Directly or
unintentionally feeding a wild animal will increase its tolerance to people and
pets. Reconsider bird feeders as they attract small mammals, which encourage
larger wild animals to visit your yard. Feeding animals or leaving food items
in parks to attract wildlife is subject to a $500 fine.
Be a responsible pet
owner
Always keep dogs on
leashes when outdoors, and keep cats indoors or in a secure outdoor enclosure.
Free-roaming pets are vulnerable to a multitude of dangers. Almost all
conflicts between wildlife and domestic dogs occur when dogs are off-leash.
Do not invite unwanted
houseguests
Keep your home properly
sealed so wildlife stays outdoors. Remove attractants by picking up dog feces,
cleaning outdoor grills and securing recycling and compost bins. Only put waste
out on collection days, rather than leaving it on the street overnight. Collect
and store bins and any uncollected garbage on the same day.
As a precautionary
measure in response to COVID-19, the Vaughan Animal Shelter remains closed to
the public; adoption and pet recovery services are available by appointment
only. Book your appointment by calling 905-832-2281 or emailing animal.services@vaughan.ca. The shelter will
reopen effective Monday, May 2. Vaughan Animal Services continues to operate
and serve Vaughan, Richmond Hill and the Township of King.
To report a sick or
injured wild animal, please call Access Vaughan at 905-832-2281. For more
information, go to vaughan.ca/AnimalServices.
For
updates and news as they happen, subscribe to Vaughan News and follow the
official corporate channels on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
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