Dealing with Wildlife

As the city develops we are coming into closer contact with wildlife. These animals aren't usually a problem until they get into the garbage, or take up residence in your home.

Ontario SPCA Wildlife E-Bulletin - April 2008

Wildlife-Proofing Your Home

Foxes in the City

What can I do with wildlife I find?

The best advice we can give you is to leave all wild animals alone. Most of us are unable to keep wildlife due to Provincial Law. This may seem heartless, but it is for the best. If the animal is injured contact the Humane Society.

What do I do if I find babies?

Most baby animals that you find are fine and are often "rescued" by caring individuals when there is no need.

Rabbits
Mother rabbits only return at dawn and dusk to tend to their nest. So chances are the nest you find has not been abandoned.

Birds
Baby birds on the ground are likely fledglings, and weren't that successful at their first flight. The parent birds will fly to the ground to feed their baby. It is also safe to return the little one to its nest if you can find it and are not putting yourself at unnecessary risk. Birds do not have a sense of smell and the will not reject a returned baby. Another thing you can do is nail a margarine container (be sure to make holes for drainage!) in the tree, line it with soft bedding and place the baby in it. This will help keep cats and other animals away.

Ducks
The following information is courtesy of the Audubon Society of Portland

A duck is incubating eggs in my backyard, parking lot, porch, balcony, etc. How long will she be here?
Mallards incubate their eggs between 26-30 days. Males typically desert after the first week of incubation and the female is left to complete the process and raise the young. Mallard ducklings are precocial, meaning that they are able to feed and move about on their own within minutes of hatching. They are, however, dependant on the mother for guidance, protection and waterproofing. She will typically lead them to appropriate habit within a day of hatching and they remain with her for 42-60 days.

Why do mallards sometimes nest far from water?
Mallards look for nesting locations away from likely predators. In urban environments this may include raccoons, coyotes, dogs and cats. Urban parks are typically over-populated with ducks and females may also look for nesting locations away from drakes (male ducks) that may attempt to copulate with them even after egg laying. It is not uncommon for ducks to nest as far as a mile from water.

What should I do if I see a mallard with ducklings?
Once the young hatch, mallards will lead their young to water. Sometimes this requires traversing a hazardous route. It may require crossing roads. Although it is tempting to try and "rescue" the ducklings, it is important to allow the mother to continue to care for her own young. In situations where it is safe to do so, humans can try and stop traffic to allow the ducklings safe passage. Otherwise the mother duck should be left to care for and lead her own young. Attempts to capture the young and transport them to "safer" locations frequently cause the mother to "spook" and fly away. Ducklings will often scatter and can be very difficult to catch. Although well meaning, attempts to interfere usually make a bad situation even worse.

What should I do if I find a lost or abandoned duckling?
Ducklings frequently become separated from their mothers. If the mother is believed to be nearby, it is best to leave the duckling alone. It will "peep" and alert the mother to its whereabouts. If the mother has been spooked and has left her ducklings behind, they can be gathered and placed into a cardboard box with the top open to the sky. She will usually circle back shortly to relocate her ducklings.

What should I do if I find an injured or malformed duckling?
Ducks typically have between 8-10 young. Most of those will not survive to adulthood. Birth defects and developmental problems are common in ducklings. Those that are not thriving are left behind so that the mother can focus on those with the best chance. These types of problems are typically not "fixable" and deformed and badly injured ducklings are usually euthanized.

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Please DO NOT put out food for the hen or ducklings, because it is important that they leave the area in search better habitat. Mallard hens are capable of walking their ducklings up to one mile overland to find a suitable pond.

Drawing attention to the nest or birds may also increase the chances of it being destroyed by a predator.

Where can I get more information?

The following websites provide more information on wildlife & urban wildlife issues:

» Ontario SPCA — Wildlife Services Department

» Canadian Federation of Humane Societies — Living with Urban Wildlife

» Ducks Unlimited Canada — Waterfowl FAQs

» Humane Wildlife Control — Urban Wildlife Specialists