Contacts
As our community continues to grow, we expand into the natural territory of many wild animals. As they adapt to their environment, they can be found living in our backyards, in and under our sheds, porches, garages and decks.
Although we do not respond directly to wildlife concerns, we do provide information and reference to external services that would be able to assist.
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
Prohibited Species - Eurasian Wild Boar |
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How many wild pigs have been spotted in Pickering?
Visit Ontario's website to learn more about Invasive Species in Ontario. |
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Sick, Injured or Orphaned Wildlife |
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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:
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Beavers |
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Pickering is fortunate to have fresh water habitats, including creeks, rivers and streams that provide food, water and shelter for many animals and birds, including the beaver. Beavers are the largest rodent in North America and are documented to have lived thousands of years ago. They typically live in lodges constructed from branches, mud, and other debris, or in dens dug into the banks of streams or lakes. Beavers are herbivores and consume tree bark, aquatic plants and grasses. To honour its historical significance, the beaver was made an official Symbol of Canada on March 24, 1975. The City embraces the critical role that beavers play in our ecosystem. Beaver dams help create wetlands and reduce erosion to our waterways, as well as benefit rivers, streams, and local fish populations. These positive aspects make their presence desirable, despite the damage they often do. Benefits of BeaversBeaver presence leads to an increase in biodiversity of plant and animal communities. Historically, wetland habitats in the GTA have been reduced by as much as 85%. Wetland habitat is critical to support many species of birds, fish, amphibians and mammals. Once trees have been felled and water levels increase, plant communities undergo significant change, generally becoming more diverse. Beaver activity can also lead to improvements in water quality and the storage of water on the landscape improves resiliency to drought. Beaver dams slow the current significantly, leading to sediment deposition and the establishment of aquatic plant communities, many of which help to remove excessive nutrients, sequester heavy metals and other contaminants as well as provide vital resources for wildlife. Impounded water can better permeate the ground and recharge groundwater. In addition, the deeper pools that are created behind the dam help reduce water temperatures and maintain stream flow during hot, dry summers. Beavers reduce the impacts of flooding and erosion by slowing water and storing it on the landscape. By slowing the water, the stream's energy is reduced, thereby reducing it's erosive forces and the damage caused by erosion. Reducing the severity of stream erosion helps to keep our natural systems functional and healthy. While beavers can certainly create problematic conditions, and are often associated with tree loss and flooded impoundments, where their activity can be tolerated, they are associated with many environmental benefits. Beavers play a vital role in shaping our landscape and their activity helps improve the diversity and resiliency of our landscape for the future. How is the City managing Beaver Activity?When beaver activity is present, City Staff monitor the area, where beavers build their dams, to protect properties from flooding and prevent damage to high value trees. Staff evaluate each situation individually and takes a collaborative approach across departments to determine the best solution. To this end, the City focuses on the following:
To reduce beaver activity, staff consider the following measures:
In situations where a beaver has been identified a threat to public safety or infrastructure, and other measures to mitigate the situation have been exhausted, the beaver may be trapped and euthanized. Trapping must be done by a licensed trapper, conducted in accordance with approved Ministry of Natural Resources guidelines, and is a final course of action for the City. Further information on beavers can be found below: |
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Coyotes |
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Sightings of coyotes are very normal, and much like birds, squirrels, raccoons and other animals, they have found a permanent home in urban areas, including Pickering. Below are a few measures residents can take for coyotes, wildlife, pets and people to safely and comfortably coexist.
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.
Animal Services Staff will not investigate calls regarding coyote sightings. However, any sick, injured, or abnormally acting wildlife may be reported to our Customer Care Centre at 905.683.7575 or customercare@pickering.ca.
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. |
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Turtles |
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Each year during April - October it is not uncommon to see turtles cross our roads. During this time turtles are known to travel great distances to find a mate and often nest on the sides of the road. Due to the turtles slow speeds they often become victims of road mortality. Please stay alert, drive slow and watch out for wildlife. Residents are encouraged to become Citizen Scientists and help us track turtle presence in Pickering as well as all across Ontario. This online app created by Adopt-a-Pond is quick and easy to learn and information gained from reporting sighting will be invaluable to everyone involved. Watch this Video to learn all about Adopt -A-Pond Reports of injured or dead turtles near Amos Pond (Finch Avenue and Scarborough-Pickering Townline) may be directed to Parks Canada's Turtle Hotline at 416.938.3017. Reporting the exact location helps staff monitor and respond to injured animals and retrieve the deceased. Injured turtles elsewhere in Pickering may be reported to the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre or Animal Services at 905.683.7575. Watch this Turtle Time Video video and learn all about the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre and how they help native Turtles.
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Rodent Control |
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| Urban environments can provide excellent habitats for rodents to survive and thrive. Although the City does not respond to wildlife issues, we do investigate issues relating to overgrown grass and weeds that would encourage rodent activity within a residential area. Please contact our Customer Care Centre at 905.683.7575 to report details if you are concerned about a neighbouring property. Otherwise, please visit the Durham Region Health Department's website for facts about rodent control. | ||||||
Black Bears |
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| Black bears live throughout most of Ontario, and although primarily inhabit forested areas, they will travel long distances if food is scarce making it possible for them to find their way to Pickering.
Since Spring 2019 the City has received and spotted a bear frequenting the Greenwood Trail area near Concession 5. 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:
In the event of an emergency, please call 911 Further information on bears can be found at bearsmart.com |
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Protecting our Deer Population (proper fencing) |
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Although wrought iron fences are aesthetically pleasing, and provide an almost clear view to the beauty of the forest behind, some fence designs are more deer friendly than others. Fencing to AvoidAvoid fences with spikes, pickets or barbs that protrude above the top bar. Many wrought iron fence designs have decorative spikes on top. Gauging a jump by the uppermost horizontal bar, animals can misjudge the fence height and be lethally caught or impaled on the fence.
What if I already have a fence?If you already have a fence that is not deer friendly, you may want to consider cutting off pickets above the top horizontal bar, or installing either individual rounded caps over the pickets, or another horizontal bar that tops the pickets all the way across. Keeping the fence line free of debris on both sides will make it less attractive to the deer to try to jump the fence. What to do if you see a deer in your yard?If you do happen to find a deer in your back yard, leave the gate to your yard open, and it will safely find its way out. Shooing or scaring the deer may result in injury to it or to you. A frightened deer will want to escape and may panic, charging, sometimes through a door or window. The best thing to do is to stay calm, quiet and enjoy the view! |
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Nuisance Wildlife |
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As well as being illegal to relocate adult wild animals more than 1 km of where you found them, there are many drawbacks to trapping and relocating them:
For the "do-it-yourselfer", trapping and performing wildlife removal and animal proofing can be a dangerous undertaking and we feel it is best left to a trained professional. For your safety and the well-being of wildlife, please review the following information about selecting professional services. Seeking Private Professional ServicesBefore contacting a private wildlife removal company, Pickering Animal Services advises residents to contact Toronto Wildlife Centre at 416.631.0662 for tips on how to humanely solve and prevent human-wildlife conflicts. If you have already pursued this option and the problem is not resolved, you may want to contact a private wildlife removal company for help. How to choose a reliable and reputable private wildlife removal company:
Live Trapping and Relocation, is it Legal?The most common method of Wildlife Removal is live trapping and relocation. The Ministry of Natural Resources has completed a great deal of research into the impact of relocating wildlife back into our environment. Research has shown that the relocation of wildlife has resulted in premature death for both adults and their young. Relocation was also found to be a key contributing factor for the spread of Rabies and other similar diseases. In 1999, the Ontario Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act set a mandate stating that all trapped wildlife must be released within 24 hours of capture and must not be relocated more than 1 kilometre from its capture site. Before choosing a wildlife company, you will want to find out the following questions pertaining to live trapping and relocation:
In most instances it is inhumane and illegal to relocate wildlife. Repairing and eliminating the attractant and re-releasing the animal where it was found is a better long-term solution for both the resident and the animal. When dealing with young, it is always best to keep the babies with their mother. This will increase their chances of survival. As a consumer, you ultimately have the ability to choose any company you like. Pickering Animal Services suggests that you properly research the credentials, experience, and reliability of any Private Wildlife Removal Company before making a final decision. |
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Public Health and Rabies |
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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. |
Did you know that all native turtles in Ontario are designated by Provincial and Federal legislation as endangered, threatened, and species of special concern? Animal Services has partnered with the 
Over the past few years Animal Services has received numerous calls regarding deer being entangled or impaled on wrought iron fencing. The majority of these fences back onto forested areas.
