Isn’t having wild animals in cities dangerous?

Not necessarily. Firstly, most of the animals living in cities are keen to avoid direct interaction with us. They are simply trying to find food and shelter to raise their young and make it to the next day. Many of them are wary of humans and don’t want any trouble.

Secondly, our pets pose a much larger threat to wildlife than wild animals do to us or our pets! For example, according to the journal Nature Communications, domestic cats kill up to 4 billion birds and 22 billion small mammals in the United States each year!

Although a scared animal may defend itself, as long as you keep your distance and leave them to their business, there is a good chance you have nothing to worry about.

What should I do if I find an injured animal in my area?

If you find an animal that is obviously injured (indicated by wounds, limping, trouble holding up its head, difficulty breathing, etc.), call your local or regional wildlife centre. They will advise you what to do based on the situation. If you’re advised to bring the animal to the centre, move slowly and quietly. An animal in pain is also very stressed, and may feel threatened by your attempt to help. A towel and box can be used to gently pick up and deliver a small animal (bird, rabbit, squirrel) to a wildlife centre. For larger mammals and carnivores, do not approach. These encounters can be dangerous for both parties and should be left to professionals.

It’s important not to try to care for a wild animal yourself. Firstly, it is dangerous to the animal, as they have specific needs when they are injured or stressed that you may not have the expertise to address. Secondly, it is dangerous for you, as a stressed animal may scratch or bite and a sick animal may carry parasites or a disease. Lastly, it is illegal in many places to attempt to keep or rehabilitate wildlife without a license.

For a list of wildlife centres in Canada, visit NatureCanada.ca.

Aren’t animals like skunks and porcupines a threat to my pets?

Not really!

Firstly, as mentioned above, pets statistically pose a much larger threat to wildlife than wild animals do to pets. It’s a misconception that wild creatures are out to “attack” our pets. If you are keeping a close eye on your pooch, there’s a good chance you will never need to worry about this.

Secondly, both of these species use their defensive strategies (spray and quills, respectively) as just that… a defence. They have these weapons in their arsenal for when they really need to protect themselves from a predator, and would prefer not to waste them on your pet.

Thirdly, both of these species will give ample warning that they are about to deploy their defence. A porcupine will shake its quills, and a skunk will hiss and stomp its feet on the ground. They are not antagonizing you - they are asking you to leave them alone.

So if you encounter these creatures on a walk with your pet or in your yard, keep your pet close and don’t allow them to interact, as it may lead to an altercation. With a little bit of space and respect, there is a good chance the critter will leave without any trouble.

Birds keep hitting my windows- what can I do?

Each year in Canada, an estimated 25 million birds die as a result of window strikes alone. During the day, the images reflected in glass, such as a landscape or tree, can confuse them. At night, urban lights can disorient migratory birds that use celestial lights to navigate. Foggy or cloudy conditions can make urban centres particularly treacherous.

Applying simple markings to your windows can go a long way in protecting our flying friends. For great tips on how to do this, check out Flap. org

Can’t they go somewhere else?

Well, not really. Due to urban sprawl and habitat degradation, the amount of truly wild space available to animals is becoming severely limited.

However, it’s also important to consider that most of the wild species in your city are native to the area. Long before your neighbourhood was situated on the land, that animal’s ancestors lived there for many generations. It is their home and they are entitled to live there as much as you or I.

Additionally, many animals are born in cities. If a female coyote has a den in an urban area, her offspring have never known any different. They did not infiltrate the city - they originated from it. Again, it’s their home.

Rather than wishing wildlife away, let’s be grateful that we get to share space with so many interesting species!

What should I do if I find a baby animal that has been orphaned?

Before you do anything, be sure that it is orphaned. Look around - do you see or hear other animals nearby? Does the baby appear stressed or calm?

Many animals are brought unnecessarily to rehab centres by well-intentioned but misinformed citizens. For example, adult hares and deer will often leave their young alone for hours at a time while they go and find food. The parents have a scent that would attract predators, so the baby is actually safer waiting where it is until mom returns. Whisking it away will separate it (likely permanently) from its mother.

If the animal appears to be clean and well-fed, there is a good chance they are not an orphan. When in doubt, call your local wildlife centre for advice.

Should I be afraid of coyotes?

Most people have no idea how many coyotes live amongst us, and that’s because coyotes are elusive and prefer to avoid encounters with humans. They move primarily at night, and avoid highly dense areas.

Additionally, their main food source is rodents. Coyotes hunting pets is a possibility, but not nearly as frequent as one may think (and a little supervision goes a long way). As for coyotes attacking humans, there have only been 2 reported cases of this in North America, according to the Humane Society of the United States. Coyotes do not see us as a food source - if anything, we are perceived as a threat that they seek to avoid.

Coyotes are an important player in the urban ecosystem, keeping rodent and pest populations under control. Rather than spreading fear, let’s show them some love!

I found a baby bird on the ground. Now what?

It depends on the bird and its stage of life.

A recently hatched bird is referred to as a nestling. They often have sparse or no feathers, and cannot support their bodies very well. If you find one, it has fallen out of its nest. The best thing to do is quickly and gently place it back in its nest. It’s a myth that the mother will not accept it because it smells like you - most birds have a very weak sense of smell! If the nest is out of reach or if you haven’t seen the mother for many hours, use a small box and towel to take the bird to your local wildlife centre.

A fledgling is a young bird that is ready to start exploring outside of the nest. They have most or all of their feathers and are mobile. It is not uncommon to see fledglings hopping around on the ground. They will often flap their wings although they cannot yet fly. Fledglings are best left to do their thing- there is a good chance that mom or dad are nearby, keeping a watchful eye.

Resist the urge to instantly assume a baby bird is in trouble. Some birds, such as raptors (owls, hawks, eagles), are quite large as fledglings. When found on the ground, people may assume they are looking at an injured adult, when it is merely a fledgling practicing flight. When in doubt, call your local wildlife centre for advice before taking any action.

For more info on baby birds, you can check out Audubon.