Residents are being reminded to take extra precautions around wild animals, especially Canada Geese, squirrels, bats and even beavers, as the weather warms up.
One video, shared on Facebook, showed drivers trying to get a beaver off the road and then getting spooked when the animal charged forward.
“We definitely refrain from encouraging people to interact with the wildlife, especially a large beaver,” said Brooke Riley, an animal services officer with the Guelph Humane Society. “They are very defensive… they do not hesitate to engage when provoked.”
The agency said calls for help nearly double every spring.
“We’re seeing an increase of up to 600 [calls],” Riley explained. “Everything from injured wildlife, to orphaned babies, suspected orphaned babies, even people getting interference from wildlife that are living above their [apartment] complexes and causing a disturbance.”
Not only are animals leaving their winter habitats and looking for food, but it’s also nesting and breeding season.
“As long as we give them space in the area, then they should leave us alone,” Riley said.
Sarah Arndt, an administrator with Ground Search and Rescue KW, also stressed the importance of coexistence.
“Don’t touch the animal,” she advised. “Oftentimes squirrels and [other animals] will wander from the nest, but their mothers do come back looking for them. Same with rabbits. They are left unattended in their little nest in the ground, and they will be OK.”
Arndt also urged people not to feed wild animals.
Anyone who finds an animal in distress should give it lots of space and call their local experts to handle the situation.
