In advance of new bylaw regulations on Saturday that will prohibit feeding wildlife, the City of Toronto is urging people not to feed local wildlife.
Owing to the negative interactions involving humans and wildlife, the city created new regulations under Chapter 349 of its Animals Bylaw that will come into effect on April 1.
Advocates are supporting the new rules.
“Wildlife doesn’t need to be fed by us,” Nathalie Karvonen executive director of Toronto Wildlife Centre told Humber News.
“This bylaw will benefit wildlife as they will not get food that is unhealthy for them and put them at risk of changing their behavior and approaching humans putting them at risk of being injured, killed or trapped,” Karvonen said.
The changes which will make it illegal to feed wildlife or leave food out to attract animals on public and private properties.
“There were a number of difficult situations that came up of coyotes that were a direct result of people feeding them and despite trying to educate those people they wouldn’t stop,” Karvonen said.
Right now the fine in place for feeding wildlife is $365 in Toronto parks.
Toronto Wildlife Centre told Humber News that the changes will help its efforts to promotes peaceful coexistence between people and wildlife by providing education and expert advice about wildlife situations.
“As a charity that runs off donations, we are extremely busy and would rather not be dealing with this as it is entirely caused by humans and is not the wild animal’s fault,” Karvonen said.
“If there is a complaint or information about a possible violation, Bylaw Enforcement Officers will investigate, provide education or take enforcement action,” the city said in a statement to CP24.
“Many people don’t follow bylaws such as keeping your dog on a leash so I am curious on how this will be enforced especially if it is on private properly,” Michael Drescher a professor at Waterloo University said.
Private bird feeders are still allowed under the new rules but they need to bekept above grade, kept clean and should not be attracting other animals or wildlife.
Still, bird feeders are discouraged since they can result in large flocks roosting or perching nearby, creating unsanitary conditions and possibly spreading diseases such as avian flu.
The City of Toronto is also advising residents to avoid leaving pet food outside and to properly dispose of food and garbage at home and in parks and outdoor spaces, as this often attracts mice, rats, squirrels, and raccoons, which in turn can attract larger predators.
“We don’t want animals to be close to us as they can damage property, carry diseases and be dangerous to humans,” he said.