If you are unsure whether wildlife needs help, you can contact the National Wildlife Centre’s wildlife hotline at (416) 577-4372 for guidance.
Every year, thousands of wildlife patients arrive at the National Wildlife Centre’s wildlife hospital in Caledon. As communities continue to grow, so does the importance of finding ways for people and wildlife to share the same spaces safely. Here are a few simple ways to coexist with wildlife in everyday life.
Around Your Home
Food attractants around homes are one of the most common reasons wildlife ventures into neighbourhoods. By reducing access to easy food sources, residents can help prevent unwanted encounters with raccoons, skunks, coyotes, foxes, and even black bears in some parts of Ontario.
- Secure garbage and compost bins, and place garbage at the curb on the morning of garbage collection and not the night before to reduce the likelihood of attracting wildlife.
- Bring pet food indoors when not in use, as food left outside can attract unwanted wildlife visitors.
- Avoid feeding wildlife, as it can cause animals to lose their natural wariness of people, increasing the likelihood of encounters around homes, parks, roads, and other populated areas.
- If you do feed birds in the winter months, keep feeders clean and well maintained to help prevent the spread of disease among local bird populations. But bird feeders away in the spring if you live in bear country.
On the Road
Wildlife moves through our communities every day in search of food, shelter, mates, and nesting areas. While many crossings happen safely, roads remain a significant risk for wildlife and can result in injuries for both animals and drivers.
- Watch for wildlife crossings, especially at dawn and dusk when many species are most active.
- Slow down – especially near forests, wetlands, and rural roads where wildlife activity is common.
- Remember that wildlife often travels in groups. If one deer crosses the road, others may be close behind.
- Remain alert for turtles crossing roads during the spring and summer nesting season.
Making Spaces Safer for Birds
It is estimated that approximately 25 million birds are lost to window collisions in Canada each year. Birds often mistake reflections in glass for open sky or habitat and can suffer serious injuries after impact.
To help reduce this risk, the National Wildlife Centre has installed Feather Friendly® bird deterrent markers on hospital windows. These markers help birds recognize glass as a barrier while remaining unobtrusive for people and can significantly reduce the risk of collisions.
Photo Caption: Feather Friendly® bird deterrent markers installed on the National Wildlife Centre’s wildlife hospital windows help reduce the risk of bird collisions.
By taking simple steps to coexist with wildlife, we can help prevent injuries before they happen and keep wildlife wild.
Wildlife Hotline: (416) 577-4372
If you encounter injured or orphaned wildlife, or are unsure whether an animal needs assistance, call for guidance.
For more information on common situations involving injured or orphaned wildlife, see our previous article, Found Injured or Orphaned Wildlife? Here’s What to Do.
