Wildlife in the City

Beavers

Beavers are most active in the spring and fall. When beavers build a dam in an urban area, waterways become blocked which can cause flooding of properties and roads. The Richmond Hill Beaver Management Policy outlines how we respond to the presence of beavers on municipal land so that property damage and health and safety risks are minimized. This Policy follows the Ontario Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, recommendations of the Ontario Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry and policies of the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority.

Learn how to prevent conflicts with beavers on private property.

Canada geese

Interactions with Canada geese commonly occur from March to May (breeding season). They can be protective of their mate, nest and young, so providing them with space is important. 

Residents should not feed geese as they become dependent on us for food, causing them to lose their ability to seek their own food or migrate south. Items like bread and crackers provide no nutritional value. 

Under the federal Migratory Bird Convention Act, it is illegal to harass, move, harm or kill any migratory bird or migratory bird eggs. It is also illegal to disturb the nest site of a migratory bird without a migratory bird permit. Therefore, if a goose or duck is nesting on your property, you will have to be patient and leave them alone until the eggs hatch and the birds vacate the nest. Richmond Hill has a Canada Goose Management Plan to address the number of geese in our public parks and spaces. 

Learn how to deter Canada Geese and other birds from your property.

Coyotes

Coyotes feed mainly on small animals such as mice and rabbits. Coyotes are generally shy, cautious and non-confrontational unless they are sick or have been fed by humans. They are active year-round but are most often encountered at dawn or dusk especially from January to March. To avoid conflicts with coyotes, do not leave food on your property, keep dogs leashed, keep cats indoors, supervise children and pets outside (i.e. small dogs), and do not approach coyotes.

What should you do if you encounter a coyote?

• Don’t run
• Back away slowly
• Stand tall, make loud noises, and wave your hands to scare it away
• Use a flashlight if walking at night 

If a coyote poses an immediate threat or danger to public safety, please contact the police by calling 9-1-1.

If you encounter a sick or injured coyote, City of Vaughan Animal Services at 905-832-2281 or 1-855-227-7297.

Learn more information about coyotes.

Foxes

Foxes mainly feed on insects, fruits and small mammals including mice, and squirrels. In early spring, foxes will find a den to raise their young – this may be an abandoned burrow from another animal or a excavated a den underneath a man-made structure such as a shed. Foxes are shy, intelligent animals that will not approach humans unless they are sick. They are primarily nocturnal, but most active at dusk and dawn.

Learn more information about foxes.

Raccoons

Raccoons are very common in urban areas and have adapted well to living alongside humans. They eat plants and small animals, but will eat almost any food available to them. Raccoons prefer heavily wooded areas, but are often found in urban areas. Reproduction begins in late winter and they usually give birth from March to May. 

To avoid conflicts, ensure your home is in good repair and remove food such as bird seed, pet food and fallen fruit. You should also properly secure your garbage cans and green bins.

Learn more about living with raccoons.

Turtles

Ontario is home to eight species of turtles that are all considered Species at Risk. Turtles have a long life span and delayed sexual maturity.  As a result, they are highly sensitive to human-induced threats such as habitat loss and road mortality. Turtles hibernate during the winter and become active in the spring. Nesting occurs in late spring and summer and females are often seen crossing roads during this time to find a suitable nesting site.  Always be sure of your own safety if you decide stop to help a turtle on the road.

The Midland painted turtle and the Snapping turtle can often be found in Richmond Hill. Midland painted turtles may be confused with the invasive Red-eared slider, a common pet species that has been released into the wild.

How to make your property undesirable to wildlife

• Do not leave food outside
• Rinse out your recycling bottles and containers
• Keep your yard free of tall vegetation and natural debris (e.g. brush piles)
• When using a composter, make sure there are no large openings for animals to enter
• Seal any cracks or holes in and around your home

In Ontario, most bird nests are protected under law and cannot be disturbed during the breeding season. Depending on the species of bird, different federal or provincial rules will apply.

Learn more about how you can avoid conflicts with wildlife.

How to stay safe around wildlife

• Keep your dog on a leash
• Check your backyard before letting pets or children outside
• Supervise pets and children in your yard
• Do not approach, feed or try to pet wildlife (especially if there are young animals)

The dangers of feeding wildlife

Please do not feed wildlife as they can lose their fear of people and become a nuisance or even a safety risk. In addition, human food is not nutritious enough for wildlife and may cause serious health problems.

Learn more about the dangers of feeding wildlife.

What to do if you find an injured animal

What to do if you find an orphaned animal

• Birds and Waterfowl
• Deer
• Squirrel
• Raccoon
• Rabbit

If you require assistance, please contact City of Vaughan Animal Services at 905-832-2281 or 1-855-227-7297

What to do if you see a sick animal

• Do not approach the animal – keep your distance
• Contact City of Vaughan Animal Services at 905-832-2281 or 1-855-227-7297
• If you are bitten, seek immediate medical treatment and report the incident to the York Region Public Health Services at 1-877-464-9675
• If your cat or dog has been bitten, seek veterinary care

Please see the drop down below for information on what to do if you find sick or dead geese, ducks or other wild birds.

What to do if you find a dead animal

• City-owned property (including parks) - Contact City of Vaughan Animal Services at 905-832-2281 or 1-855-227-7297
• Private property - Contact a local animal removal company or dispose of the animal in the garbage. Please note that dead animals can spread diseases and safety precautions should be taken if disposing the animal yourself. Learn more about what to do if you find a dead animals on your property. 

Please see the drop down below for information on what to do if you find sick or dead geese, ducks or other wild birds.

What to do if you find a sick or dead bird

With geese starting to return to the community, York Region municipalities including Richmond Hill, may see wild birds that have died or are infected with avian influenza (H5N1), also known as bird flu. 

Report sick or dead birds 

If you come across sick or dead geese, ducks or other wild birds in Richmond Hill, do not touch them. Report them to Vaughan Animal Services (VAS) at 905-832-2281, 1-855-227-7297 or animal.services@vaughan.ca and staff will respond.

Residents are also reminded to:

• Keep a safe distance from wild animals and do not touch or feed them
• Keep cats indoors and dogs on a leash to limit the potential of your pet encountering an infected bird
• Consider removing backyard bird feeders and/or bird baths to limit virus transmission. If this is not possible, clean them with 10% bleach at least once every two weeks. They should be placed away from where domestic animals spend time
• Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after touching any bird feeders, bird baths or any potentially contaminated areas
• Stay off all bodies of water as ice and water conditions are not safe; do not attempt to rescue birds in distress

About Avian Influenza

Avian influenza (bird flu, avian flu) is a disease caused by the Type A (H5N1) influenza virus that can affect all bird species including chickens, turkeys, pheasants, quail, domestic ducks, geese and guinea fowl.

Bird flu is spread through direct contact from an infected bird to a healthy bird. Bird flu is also spread when a healthy bird comes in contact with equipment and/or materials (including water and feed) that have been contaminated with feces and/or secretions from infected birds.

The risk of transmission of avian flu from birds to residents is low and, at present, there are no indicators of increasing risk to the general public. 

Avian influenza is different from seasonal influenza (flu) viruses and does not spread widely from human-to-human. There have been no human cases of avian influenza in York Region.

Rarely, humans can get avian flu and this has typically been through direct exposure to infected poultry or contaminated environments, such as farms, live poultry markets and slaughterhouses. It is recommended that people working with poultry wear proper protective gear, including face mask, goggles, gloves and boots.

According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, wild birds in Canada and throughout the world are natural carriers of avian influenza viruses. Although some wild birds may get sick and die, others can be infected and still appear healthy.

For more information, visit the following websites:

• Avian flu - York Region
• Avian influenza in wild birds - Government of Canada