Wildlife

• What to do when you find wildlife
• Tips for preventing and managing conflicts with coyotes, wolves and foxes
• Tips for preventing and managing conflicts with deer, elk and moose
• Tips on what to do about wild rabbits
• Tips on what to do about raccoons
• Tips on what to do about squirrels
• Tips on what to do about opossums
• Tips on what to do when you find a baby bird
• Tips on what to do when raccoons are living under deck or shed

The City only responds to urban wildlife calls if the animal has been sick, injured. The City does not respond to calls about urban wildlife that are observed in urban areas or who have entered a dwelling or place of business. Residents should contact a private wildlife service.

• Toronto Wildlife Centre

• Ontario Wildlife Rescue
• Shades of Hope Wildlife Refuge
• How to choose a humane wildlife control company

Take an e-learning module on Coyotes in the Urban Landscape to learn basic facts about coyote behaviour and how both animals and people can remain safe. This informational module has been created in partnership with Coyote Watch Canada and shared from the City of Toronto website. While some content references City of Toronto by-laws and policies, the practices in the City of Oshawa are similar.

Coyote sightings are not uncommon in urban areas, including the City of Oshawa. Coyotes have been a vital part of our ecosystem for many years. By applying common sense, preventative techniques and by being aware of the diversity of wildlife that we share our living spaces with, we can minimize human and wildlife conflict. When coyote sightings increase many times these sightings are due to humans intentionally or unintentionally providing a food source. An over flowing bird feeder, mishandling of compost, and fallen fruit attract a diverse range of prey species such as rodents, squirrels, chipmunks, insects which coyotes will utilize as food. Consider that the birds and small mammals that frequent bird feeder stations are potential prey food for other predator species such as owls, hawks, fox and domestic pets.

The City of Oshawa uses sighting reports to monitor common locations and determine if neighbourhood specific communications should be sent.

Report a sighting to Service Oshawa: 

• Online: www.serviceoshawa.ca
  
• Email: [email protected]
• Telephone: 905-436-3311

• Report coyote sightings to Service Oshawa.
• Check your property for wildlife attractants.
  • Remove food attractants: secure garbage, keep pet food indoors, clean up spilled bird seed and fallen fruits.
  • Keep your property clean: trim back bushes and weeds, scoop your dog poop, keep you barbeque area clean.
  • Secure you home and sheds: seal openings into and under buildings, decks and porches.
  • Be a good pet owner: keep you dog on a leash, supervise your pets when they are outdoors and bring your pets in at night.

Human indifference is not an appropriate response to a coyote getting comfortable around areas that people frequent. Never allow a coyote to linger or bed down near your home or business. Print and follow the Wildlife Proofing Tips.

Applying simple low intensity hazing techniques will send a clear message to a coyote that they are not welcomed.

• Yelling in a firm voice while outdoors “Go away coyote!”, banging pots, spraying a water hose (in warmer months), throwing objects towards not at the coyote, using a shake can, popping open an umbrella can be effective deterrents to safely move a coyote away.
• Battery-operated flashlights, tape-recorded human noises, and ammonia soaked rags may deter coyotes from entering onto your property.

If a coyote is near:

• Pick up small children and pets
• Never run from or turn your back on a coyote/domestic dog
• Wave your arms above your head
• Be BIG and LOUD! Yell "Go away!"
• Slowly back away
• Use hazing techniques such as shaking car keys, popping an umbrella, throwing an object in the direction of the coyote.
• Always be prepared and aware of your surroundings when enjoying the outdoors. Be a good visitor "leave no trace". Carry out leftover food, garbage and dog feces.

Winter during mating periods (January - February), Spring during den selection/pup rearing (March - June) and Fall during dispersal of pack members will also affect the number of sightings a resident observes a coyote. By promoting respect, compassion and safety education throughout our community about these intelligent, adaptable keystone species, we can safely coexist with coyotes.

Never feed coyotes. Our best defence is not to habituate them. We need to keep them wild and wary of people. This is the best way to protect our pets and ourselves. The few documented cases of coyote-inflicted wounds on humans occurred as a result of humans feeding a coyote.

• Keep pet food and water bowls indoors. Pet food will attract coyotes to your yard.
• Keep trash cans covered.
• Pick ripened fruit, and clean all rotted fallen fruit off the ground.
• Do not allow a large amount of wild bird seed to remain on your lawn. Bird seed not only attracts birds, but rabbits, squirrels, and rodents, which are prey for coyotes.
• Keep pets under strict control. Coyotes are most active between the hours of dusk and dawn. Therefore, leash all dogs and accompany them for walks. Keep pets indoors at night or enclosed in kennels.
• Owls, hawks, eagles, fox, including coyotes can prey on smaller pets such as cats and dogs. Accompany your pets outdoors after dusk, especially in backyards (unfenced and fenced) and on a leash, minimizes such encounters.
• Cats may become prey for coyotes. Pet owners should protect pets and not let them roam. Our pets are at risk of many environmental dangers when they are not under our control. Coyotes may prey on small domestic animals as food and to eliminate a threat to their territory or pups. Domestic dogs can be considered competition for food items at locations where humans are feeding coyotes.
• Keep cats indoors. Letting cats roam can actually draw coyotes into the area.
• Keep chickens, rabbits and other small animals in covered enclosures, constructed with heavy mesh wire. Coyotes, raccoons and weasels can break through chicken coop wire.
• Neuter pets. Although a rare occurrence, coyotes may mate with domesticated dogs.
• Do not approach coyotes. Avoid coyote dens, and do not interfere with pups, even if it appears the parents have abandoned them. Coyotes will do their best to avoid human contact, but may attack humans when provoked, sick or injured.
• Teach children about wildlife and how to safely respond to coyote (or dog) nearby.
• Respect, compassion and education are common sense tools that nurture safe and healthy human and wildlife families.

• Related Frequently Asked Questions
• Coyote Watch Canada
• Ministry of Natural Resources

• Burrows - digging around foundations, into walls, under sheds and fences (rats).
• Runs - dust-free path along walls and floors (rats and mice).
• Gnaw marks - on wood, concrete or other materials.
• Sightings - mice are more common in the daytime; rats are more active at night.
• Smudge marks - greasy film left by fur along walls or into burrow entrances.

1. Rodent proof buildings – Seal up any holes around your home including under garages, sheds and porches by sealing outside openings where rodents can enter with the use of coarse steel wool and sheet metal around pipes and electrical conduits.

2. Eliminate locations where rodents seek shelter - clearing brush, tall grass and trash from around your property will reduce hiding places for rodents. All stored items should be kept 24 to 30 centimetres off the floor for easy cleaning and removing clutter can help manage pest populations.

3. Remove food and water - all water leaks should be repaired immediately and spills cleaned up. Food items should be stored in rodent-proof storage containers. Clean up any food sources outside such as unprotected composters, bird seed, fallen fruit from trees, and pet food and consider removing water sources such as bird baths or ponds. 
4. Control existing population - traps and rodenticides may be used to reduce or eliminate existing populations. If traps are utilized, ensure you have the correct size and keep children and pets away from the affected area. Place deceased rodents in garbage bags (double bag to contain odour) for regularly scheduled pick up. Please follow garbage collection requirements.
5. Store garbage in rodent-proof containers with tight-fitting lids and secure composters to prevent entry. Place garbage and recycling at the curb the morning of collection. To avoid being missed, place waste at the curb no later than 7:00 a.m.

Treat all rodents as infectious as they carry mites and fleas and spread diseases such as Salmonella and Hantavirus. Dead rodents, their urine and droppings should be handled with gloves and disposed with household garbage in tightly sealed bags. Any foodstuff contaminated by contact with rodents or their droppings should be discarded. Special care should be taken with mouse droppings and urine. A wet method of cleaning is recommended, such as wet wiping or mopping with a household disinfectant. Wash your hands after handling traps, poisons, rodents and wearing gloves. A licensed pest control operator should be contacted for heavy infestations. Visit the Durham Region Health Department for information on rodent control, or call 905-666-6241. 

Residents are asked to contact Service Oshawa to report rats in their surrounding neighbourhood:

• If the source of the rats is known, a Property Standards By-law complaint will be created.
• If the source of the rats is not known, the information will be used to attempt to determine the source and to analyze the extent of the problem in any particular neighbourhood.

Service Oshawa can be reached by phone at 905-436-3311 or by email at [email protected].