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Wildlife

Wildlife-proof your home

It is important that you wildlife-proof your home to prevent wildlife from becoming permanent residents. Animals such as raccoons, skunks, rabbits, squirrels, rats and mice need shelter, food, and water to survive.

  • If you have gaps below a deck, porch, storage shed, or home; these spaces could provide shelter for wildlife.
  • Fencing, lattice, wire, and patching products can be used to seal and minimize shelter opportunities for wildlife. Of course, be certain no wildlife is present before you seal an area.
  • Food sources such as overflowing garbage cans, improperly stored food, and even birdfeeders can attract wildlife.
  • Informational video on wildlife-proofing your home
  • Read the BC SPCA’s wildlife control best practices (pdfs)

Animal Services does not typically deal with wildlife. For general information on wildlife, contact one of the wildlife organizations below.

Feeding wildlife

Feeding of wildlife is prohibited except for birds. Feeding wildlife can lead to increased populations of urban wildlife and human/wildlife conflict.

Using traps and bait outdoors

Body hold trap

Body hold trap

The outdoor use of body hold traps is prohibited.

Body hold traps can cause injury or death to ensnared animals. They can also kill and injure non-target animals and people.

Glue trap

Glue trap

The outdoor use of glue traps is prohibited.

Glue traps can cause injury or death to ensnared animals. They can also kill and injure non-target animals such as birds.

Live release trap

Live release trap

The outdoor use of live release traps is permitted.

  • Live trap users are required to check traps at least once per day.
  • Live trap users are required to release or humanely euthanize an entrapped animal.
  • To increase survivability, live trap users are recommended to release entrapped animals in their neighborhood in a survivable green space.
Rat poison and other rodenticides

Rat poison & other rodenticides

The outdoor use of rodenticide may only be conducted by licensed pest control companies or governmental agencies.

Rodenticides are pest control products for controlling mice, rats, and other rodents. Anticoagulant rodenticides work by disrupting the normal blood clotting or coagulation process so that dosed animals suffer from uncontrolled bleeding or haemorrhaging.

Children, pets, and non-target wildlife are at risk of severe poisoning from outdoor rodenticide.

View the bylaw

View the Responsible Pet Ownership By‑law for more information.

Wildlife organizations

Wildlife Haven Rehabilitation Centre

Prairie Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre

Agriculture and Resource Development

Report human-wildlife conflicts in Winnipeg to the Conservation Officer Service.

Hinterland Who’s Who

Learn more about Canada's wildlife

Frequently asked questions

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Wildlife

How do I prevent conflict with wildlife on my property?

It is important that you wildlife-proof your home.

What do I do about raccoons on my property?

It is important that you wildlife-proof your home.

If you would like a raccoon removed from your property, contact a pest control company.

If there is a raccoon out during the day that appears sick or injured, contact 311.

What do I do about skunks on my property?

It is important that you wildlife-proof your home.

If you would like a skunk removed from your property, contact a pest control company.

If there is a skunk out during the day that appears sick or injured, contact 311.

I've found a nest of baby rabbits and I don't see the mother. What should I do?

Animal Services does not deal with wildlife. Visit Wildlife Haven - Helping Injured or Sick Wildlife for more information.

There's a deer in my yard. What should I do?

If the deer is not causing any disturbance, it is best to leave it alone and keep a safe distance.

To contact the Conservation Officer Service in order to report human-wildlife conflicts in Winnipeg, call 204-945-5221 during business hours or to leave a non-urgent message after hours. Urgent calls after hours can be directed to the provincial TIP line at 1-800-782-0076 or visit: Manitoba Sustainable Development - Wildlife.

I think I saw a coyote/fox/wolf/cougar in my neighbourhood. What should I do?

Cougars and wolves are very rare in southern Manitoba. Winnipeg does have a small population of coyotes and foxes. They are generally fearful of people and more active at night. Coyotes and foxes typically eat small animals such as mice, rats, rabbits etc.

To contact the Conservation Officer Service in order to report human-wildlife conflicts in Winnipeg, call 204-945-5221 during business hours or to leave a non-urgent message after hours. Urgent calls after hours can be directed to the provincial TIP line at 1-800-782-0076 or visit: Manitoba Sustainable Development - Wildlife.

View an informational video on urban coyotes.

Print an educational poster on coyotes.

Coyotes

If you see a coyote near your home or property:

  • Encourage the coyote to keep moving by shouting and gesturing aggressively.

To prevent coyotes from coming into your yard:

  • Wildlife-proof your home
  • Remove food sources such as birdfeeders and avoid feeding pets outdoors.
  • Store garbage, recycling and organics properly.
  • Remove dense brush and weeds to minimize hiding spots.

Coyotes are naturally timid and flee when confronted aggressively. The following actions teach coyotes to fear humans:

  • Be Big: Stand up and raise your arms in the air. Appear as large and threatening as possible
  • Be Loud: Stomp your feet, clap your hands, and yell “go away coyote” to alert people nearby.
  • Be Threatening: Throw a tennis ball or a small pebble or stick at the coyote, but only to show the coyote who is boss – not to injure!
  • Avoid turning your back, maintain eye contact and slowly back away. Never run away from a coyote.

Keeping your pets safe:

  • Keep dogs on a leash.
  • Keep cats indoors or supervised when outside.
  • If coyotes are in your area, do not let your pet out into your yard alone.
  • If you encounter a coyote while walking your dog:
    • Pick the dog up in your arms.
    • If not possible, keep your dog on a short leash and move to an area with more activity.

The following may help to deter coyotes:

  • Flashlights: Bright light has been known to deter coyotes.
  • Umbrellas: The action and sound of opening/closing will deter a coyote.
  • Whistles: May not scare coyote directly but will alert other pedestrians in the area.
  • Be big and loud: Jump up and down, wave your arms, yell “Go away coyote!”
I saw a bear in my neighbourhood. What should I do?

Contact the Winnipeg Police Service at 911 if you have a bear in your yard.

The beavers are destroying the trees along the river bank. What should I do?

Learn more about coexisting with beavers.

Contact 311 for further assistance.

What do I do about squirrels in my yard?

Animal Services does not deal with wildlife. It is important that you wildlife-proof your home.

I have rats (or mice) in my yard. What do I do?

Animal Services does not deal with wildlife. Consult an exterminator if you want the animals removed. It is important that you wildlife-proof your home.

A skunk attacked my dog. What should I do?

If you have concerns about the health of your family pet, you should contact your veterinarian as soon as possible.

Birds

There is a turkey in my yard. What do I do?

Wild turkeys are native to Manitoba and from time to time they will come into Winnipeg. Leave them alone and they will find shelter in trees or move to another location.

To contact the Conservation Officer Service in order to report human-wildlife conflicts in Winnipeg, call 204-945-5221 during business hours or to leave a non-urgent message after hours. Urgent calls after hours can be directed to the provincial TIP line at 1-800-782-0076 or visit: Manitoba Sustainable Development - Wildlife.

Does the City of Winnipeg remove crow's nests?

No, the Animal Services Agency does not offer this service. Consult a tree service about removing crow’s nests from private property.

My neighbour has a pigeon coop. Is this allowed?

For regulations regarding pigeon coops, please see the Neighbourhood Liveability By-law or contact 311.

Can I shoot the nuisance birds?

No, it is illegal to discharge a firearm in the city of Winnipeg. This includes pellet guns and sling shots.

Last update: May 25, 2021

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