Site Accessibility Information Access Key 1 to Skip to Top Navigation Access Key 2 to Skip to the Three One One link Access Key 3 to Skip to City of Winnipeg Main Menu Access Key 4 to Skip to Left Navigation Menu Access Key 5 to Skip to Content area Access Key 6 to Skip to Right Sidebar content area Access Key 7 to Skip to Footer Links
City of Winnipeg
Text size: change text size to smallA | change text size to mediumA | change text size to largeA
|  Link to the City of Winnipeg French websiteFrançais  |
COVID-19: City of Winnipeg response and latest updates on City facilities and services COVID-19 : Mesures prises par la Ville de Winnipeg et dernières nouvelles sur les installations et services municipaux
Search

Animal Services
on Social Media

Animal Services Agency
Accessibility

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 deal with wildlife. For general information on wildlife, contact one of the following organizations.

Wildlife Haven Rehabilitation Centre

Prairie Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre

Manitoba Sustainable Development

  • 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.

Hinterland Who’s Who

Frequently asked questions

Open all | Close all

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's a peacock in my yard. What do I do?

The Animal Services Agency does not deal with birds. Leave it alone and it will move away.

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: July 6, 2020

Was this information helpful?

How can we make this web page better?

Information collected will be used to improve our website. Do not use this form to submit a request for service or information because it will not be forwarded to departments for response. To submit a request for service or information, contact 311.

This form is not intended to collect personal information; however, any personal information you choose to include in your comments is collected by the City of Winnipeg under the authority of section 36(1)(b) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act for the purpose of improving our website and will not be used or disclosed for any other purposes, except as authorized by law. Contact the Corporate Access and Privacy Officer by mail (City Clerk’s Department, Susan A. Thompson Building, 510 Main Street, Winnipeg MB, R3B 1B9) or by telephone (311) if you have any questions about the collection of this information.

Ces renseignements sont-ils utiles?

Comment pourrait-on améliorer cette page Web?

Les renseignements recueillis serviront à l’amélioration de notre site Web. Prière de ne pas se servir de ce formulaire pour soumettre une demande de service ou de renseignements, car la demande ne sera pas transmise au service en question. Pour soumettre une demande de service ou de renseignements, veuillez communiquer avec le 311.

Le présent formulaire ne vise pas à recueillir des renseignements personnels. Cependant, les renseignements personnels que vous choisissez d’inclure dans vos commentaires sont recueillis par la Ville de Winnipeg en conformité avec l’alinéa 36(1)b) de la Loi sur l’accès à l’information et la protection de la vie privée dans le but d’améliorer son site Web et ne seront ni utilisés ni divulgués pour d’autres raisons, sauf dans les cas où cela est autorisé par la loi. Communiquez avec l’agent de l’accès à l’information et de la protection de la vie privée de la Ville par courrier au Bureau du greffier, immeuble Susan-A.-Thompson, 510, rue Main, Winnipeg (Manitoba) R3B 1B9, ou par téléphone au 311 si vous avez des questions sur la collecte de ces renseignements.