Urban Wildlife Information

Raccoons, Skunks and other Urban Wildlife

The opportunity to see urban wildlife venturing into your back garden or down the road is an all too-common occurrence. From coyotes and raccoons that raid garbage bins to black-tailed deer and skunks. With frequent contact with humans, this urban wildlife gets bolder and bolder. Raccoons and squirrels begging for food is a sight that is very often seen in Stanley Park and, while "cute" to many people, these animals should be left alone. Their wildness should be respected, as should their teeth. They can, and sometimes will, bite humans that get too close. These cute creatures can create serious concern when they have chosen your house to create a den.

Raccoons and skunks visit yards in search of food.  Both will travel blocks to find or take advantage of one of the many food sources available in urban cities. If you suspect a racoon or skunk has decided to make your house as a new den there are steps you can take to help them move on. Please check the site for Stanley Park Ecology Society for tips on how to live with urban wildlife.

During spring and summer in most areas of the country crow babies are fledging (leaving the nest). In the first couple of weeks that the young are out of the nest they cannot fly well and are very vulnerable to predators. The baby crows hide in trees or bushes or near buildings and the parents are very protective of them. During this time the parents will mob (attack) any potential predator in the area. Usually this means cats and dogs, but people can elicit the same response. Typically people are too big to risk getting too near. If you wait a few days the fledglings will leave your area and the parents will calm down. Try to keep in mind that they are not vicious animals trying to hurt you, they are dedicated parents trying to defend their young in the best fashion they know. If you need to walk by an area that has crows you can carry an umbrella with you to hold over your head in order to keep the crows at a distance.

Stanley Park Ecology Society
http://www.stanleyparkecology.ca/programs/conservation/urbanWildlife

Injured Wildlife

As urban activities encroach into natural habitat areas, thousands of wild animals die every year as their homes disappear and they are forced into closer contact with humans. Many animals are seriously, sometimes fatally, injured by vehicles and window collisions, pet attacks, oil spills, pollution damage, poisonings, non-target trapping and shooting, tangled fishing line and nest tree destruction. If you find an animal you suspect to be injured or poisoned please check the links below for what you can do.

Wildlife Rescue Association
http://www.wildliferescue.ca/

SPCA -Wildarc Vancouver Island
http://www.wildarc.com/resources

Injured Marine Mammal

If you see a marine mammal that you believe is in distress, contact the Vancouver Aquarium's Marine Mammal Rehabilitation Centre at 604-258-SEAL (7325) or via the emergency pager at 604-735-4777. Please do not touch or attempt to move the animal until you have spoken with our trained rescue specialists.

Orphan Seal Rehab- Vancouver Aquarium
http://www.vanaqua.org/mmrr/

Coyote Alert

Even though your pet lives in the city, Vancouver is home to a variety of wildlife species and there are dangerous predators out there.

An estimated 2,000 to 3,000 coyote live among us in the Lower Mainland. Although the coyotes eat mainly small mammals such as mice and rats, they will eat domestic pets. All small pets should be kept indoors at night and on a leash when out with their owners. Coyotes are generally no threat to people but should be treated with respect and never approached or fed. People with small children should be especially careful with their kids around animals.

Visit the Stanley Park Ecology Society website for more information about coyotes.

What does a coyote look like?

• small, dog-like, looks like a cross between a fox and a German Shepherd
• average weight - 9-14 kg
• length - 0.75 m - 1 m
• coats are generally brown; some with reddish tinges
• has a bushy tail that is 30 - 40 cm long, with a distinctive black tip
• yellow eyes that help them see well in low light.
• ears are large for their body size
• have a distinctive, quick gait, and run with their tail down; can run at speeds up to 64 km/hour for short distances.

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What do coyotes eat?

Coyotes are carnivores. Their diet consists primarily of small mammals—mostly rabbits, but also mice, rats, shrews, voles, and racoons. They will also eat household pets such as cats and small dogs. They eat bird eggs, fruits and berries in season, and garbage.

Getting along with coyotes

Coyotes are part of our urban wildlife. The best strategy seems to be to try and get along with them. While coyotes are relatively new to the Lower Mainland, cities such as Calgary and Los Angeles have had coyotes for many years. Some cities have tried extensive poisoning or trapping/relocation programs, with limited success.

Here are some strategies for co-existing with coyotes:

• Don't approach or feed coyotes.
• Secure your property.
• Clean up your compost.
• Don't store food outside.
• Clean up around bird feeders.
• Clean up fallen fruit.
• Keep pets on a leash, in your enclosed property, or inside your home, especially at night.

Visit the Stanley Park Ecology Society website for more information about coyotes.

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Other Interesting Wildlife Links

Vancouver Park Board
http://vancouver.ca/parks/parks/wildlife/index.htm

BC Ministry of Environment
http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/fw/

Canadian Wildlife Service
http://www.cws-scf.ec.gc.ca/index_e.cfm

Species At Risk Act
http://www.sararegistry.gc.ca/default_e.cfm

Fisheries and Oceans Pacific Region
http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/index-eng.htm

Oil Spill Reporting
http://www.pep.bc.ca/hazard_preparedness/HAZMAT_and_OilSpill_Information.html

Wildlife Act and Exotic Animals
http://www.spca.bc.ca/wildlifeact/default.asp

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