Wildlife in Aurora

 Coyotes

Coyote Information Session 

The Town of Aurora is hosted an information session to educate residents and the on how to coexist with coyotes in urban environments.

The session featured a presentation from Coyote Watch Canada and Aurora’s Animal Services Officers.

Watch the Coyote Information Session 

Learn about Coyotes

From late January to early March comes mating season for coyotes, it is common during this time to hear them howling or yipping to communicate and may see more of them as they actively seek out a mate. While Coyotes typically do not pose a danger to people, they do pose a threat for cats and small dogs.

We can learn to co-exist with our wildlife if we respect them and take proactive steps to keep ourselves and our pets safe by following these tips:

• Be extra cautious and aware of your surroundings when walking around forests, ravines, and open spaces.
• When out for a walk with your dog, keep them on a close leach and bring a whistle or stick with you to scare away a coyote.
• Never leave your pets outside unattended for long periods of time on your property, as coyotes can jump fences.
• Prevent wildlife from coming onto your property by removing all food sources, including ripe fruit and bird seed, securing your garbage and compost, and fencing your gardens off.
• Do not approach coyotes or their dens, as this may provoke them.

If you see a sick or injured Coyote contact Aurora’s Animal Services Department at 1-877-979-7297.

The Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) is responsible for wildlife management in the province of Ontario. They have extensive information about coyotes, including a number of useful fact sheets on their website.

The MNR asks residents who have observed situations where coyotes are exhibiting no fear toward people, or are aggressively approaching people or pets, to report any incidents to their Aurora District Office at 905-713-7400. Please leave a message at that line or use the auto attendant to speak directly with staff during regular business hours.

​If there is an incident with a coyote that is a threat to public safety, please call 9-1-1 and alert York Regional Police.

 Raccoons

Raccoons are common inhabitants of Aurora and are known for their adaptability and curious nature. They have omnivorous diets, consuming a wide range of foods including fruits, nuts, insects, small mammals, birds, and scavenged human food.

The annual life cycle of raccoons consists of a breeding period during late winter and early spring, a growth period during summer and fall, and a winter denning period.

In urban areas, raccoons can cause significant damage to roofs, garages, gardens and lawns. When searching for food, raccoons can spill garbage and break compost bins.​

Wild animals have basic needs – food, water and shelter. Sometimes, humans and wild creatures come into conflict when animals are trying to meet their basic needs.

To keep raccoons off your property, it's important to secure garbage bins with tight-fitting lids and avoid leaving pet food or birdseed outside. Remove fallen fruits from trees and seal off access points to potential denning sites such as attics, chimneys, and crawl spaces by using mesh or sturdy covers. Additionally, motion-activated lights or sprinklers can deter raccoons from exploring your property at night. By eliminating food sources and access points, you can reduce the likelihood of raccoon encounters and minimize potential conflicts.

Canine Distemper in Raccoons

Canine Distemper (CDV) is a virus that is generally always present in the raccoon population but at low levels.

Raccoons with distemper may approach people, or curl up to sleep in open areas in close proximity to people. They generally act disoriented or lethargic, but can become aggressive if cornered.

Canine Distemper does not pose a threat to human health. Dogs who have not been vaccinated for distemper can become infected if they come in contact with a raccoon with distemper.

If residents notice a raccoon displaying abnormal or aggressive behaviour, they should call Access Aurora at 905-727-1375. In the event of an emergency after hours, please follow the phone prompts provided. 

What is Canine Distemper?

Canine Distemper is a viral disease affecting animals in the canine families, in addition to some other mammals. It affects the respiratory, gastrointestinal and nervous systems. Raccoons, dogs and skunks can be infected. The disease is most often fatal and animals that recover may display permanent neurological damage.

Can humans catch Canine Distemper?

No. Humans cannot get Canine Distemper.

Can my dog catch Canine Distemper?

Yes. If your dog has not been vaccinated against distemper, and comes into contact with a raccoon with distemper. Most dogs are vaccinated as puppies, and then have regular boosters. Puppies that have not been vaccinated are at particularly high risk. Keep your dog on a leash and check your backyard before letting your dog out.

What are the symptoms of a raccoon with distemper?

Raccoons with distemper may move slowly or stumble as they walk. They lose their fear of humans, appear blind and confused. They also may wander aimlessly and become aggressive if cornered. A mucus discharge will often be present around the eyes and nose and may be accompanied by coughing, diarrhea, vomiting, tremors, seizures or chewing fits. They may only exhibit some of these symptoms and otherwise appear quite healthy.

Canada Geese

Canadian Geese are commonly spotted during their migration periods, which typically occur in spring and fall. Their breeding season starts in early spring, where they establish nests near water bodies such as lakes, ponds, and rivers.

It's important not to feed these geese because it disrupts their natural foraging behavior and can lead to overpopulation in urban areas, make them ill and cause serious conditions like Angel Wing, which can deform them and prevent them from flying

To deter them from your property, avoid leaving food sources accessible, use deterrents like motion-activated sprinklers or visual deterrents such as reflective objects or predator silhouettes, and consider planting dense vegetation near water to discourage nesting. These methods help maintain a healthy balance between wildlife and urban environments.

Please Don't Feed the Geese, Swans and Ducks

Feeding bread, popcorn, crackers and other human foods to ducks, geese, swans and other birds can cause severe issues for their health and can cause Angel Wing.

Angel Wing is a serious condition that affects waterfowl and is directly linked to the animals being fed bread and other high-starch foods. This disease is characterized by a deformity of the wing structure, where the feathers twist and curl outward, making it impossible for the bird to fly. The primary cause of Angel Wing is the consumption of excessive amounts of high-energy, low-nutrient foods, such as bread, which disrupts the normal development of the wing feathers.

Birds with Angel Wing cannot fly, making them vulnerable to predators and severely limiting their ability to find food and migrate. This condition often leads to poor nutrition and ineffective foraging, resulting in additional health problems and increased mortality rates.

Residents are urged to avoid feeding these birds and just enjoy watching them in their natural habitats instead. If you spot a bird with deformed wings or signs of weakness, please contact Animal Services at 1-877-979-7297.

By following these guidelines and spreading awareness, residents of Aurora can play a vital role in protecting local wildlife and preserving the health of our natural ecosystems.

If you encounter a fox, maintain a respectful distance and avoid approaching or cornering it. Foxes are generally shy and will retreat if given space. To report a fox sighting in Aurora, you can use the interactive map. This tool helps track wildlife activity and assists animal services with in managing interactions between wildlife and residents effectively.

We can learn to co-exist with our wildlife if we respect them and take proactive steps to keep ourselves and our pets safe by following these tips:

• Be extra cautious and aware of your surroundings when walking around forests, ravines, and open spaces.
• Check the interactive map for locations they frequent
• When walking your dog, keep them on a close leash and bring a whistle or stick with you to scare away a coyote.
• Never leave your pets outside unattended for long periods of time on your property, as coyotes can jump fences.
• Prevent wildlife from coming onto your property by removing all food sources, including ripe fruit and bird seed, securing your garbage and compost, and fencing your gardens off.
• Do not approach coyotes or their dens, as this may provoke them.

Foxes in Ontario are opportunistic feeders, consuming a varied diet that includes small mammals like mice and rabbits, birds, insects, fruits, and occasionally scavenged food from urban areas. Their mating season typically occurs in late winter to early spring, with kits born in the spring months after a gestation period of about 50 days.

If you encounter a fox, it's essential to observe from a distance and avoid approaching or attempting to feed it, as this can habituate them to human presence. If you encounter a coyote in Aurora, you can report the sighting using the interactive map. This tool plays a crucial role in tracking wildlife activity and enables animal services to effectively manage interactions between wildlife and residents, ensuring the safety and well-being of both.

Turtles in play a crucial role in the ecosystem as both predators and prey, contributing to biodiversity and ecosystem balance. They are primarily carnivorous, feeding on aquatic insects, small fish, amphibians, and plants found in lakes, ponds, rivers, and wetlands. Turtles typically nest in sandy or loose soil near bodies of water, where they lay eggs during the spring and summer months. Their nesting sites are vulnerable to disturbance, making conservation efforts crucial for their survival. Turtles are important indicators of ecosystem health, as their presence indicates the quality of aquatic habitats. They help control populations of prey species and serve as prey themselves for larger predators, thus contributing to the overall stability and health of our natural environment.

If it is safe to do so, you may choose to help a turtle cross the road. Use some cardboard or a shovel to move the turtle in the direction it was heading and place it on a grassy area away from the road.

It is important to note that you should never pick up a turtle by its tail. Lifting a turtle by its tail can cause serious injury to its spine. Use cardboard or something flat to guide the turtle in the direction it was going. Turtles have a strong sense of direction and are determined to reach their destination, so don’t try to relocate a turtle or take it home, be a good neighbour and help it get where it’s going.

When helping a turtle cross the road, be sure of your own safety. Learn how to safely help a turtle on the road.

If you see any wildlife in distress, please contact Animal Services at 1-877-979-7297. Learn more about wildlife emergencies.

 Peaceful Coexistence with Wildlife

• Never feed wildlife.
• Pick fruit as soon as it ripens.
• Keep barbecues clean and covered when not in use.
• Secure garbage in durable plastic containers with locking lids.
• Store garbage indoors until collection day.
• Keep garage doors closed and secure.
• Keep compost in containers that keep raccoons out while allowing for ventilation.
• ​​Block off potential access points to your attic, garage and other buildings.
• Secure the perimeter of decks, sheds and crawl spaces.
• Keep indoor pet food and any other food away from a pet door and secure the pet door at night.
• Install a chimney cap.
• Trim branches near buildings to prevent easy access.
• Use flashing lights, motion sensors to deter raccoons and wildlife.

 Wildlife Response Protocol

The Town of Aurora’s provides animal control services by highly-trained animal control officers, who work various shifts during the week and on weekends.

During scheduled hours:
During scheduled hours, if the town is notified about injured or sick wildlife in Aurora it will send out an animal control officer to respond accordingly.

Outside officer’s scheduled hours:
Outside of scheduled shift hours, if the town is notified about injured or sick wildlife an animal control officer will not be dispatched except in instances where an animal endangers the health and safety of people or other animals.

Emergency call - danger to the public:

If any animal becomes a threat or danger to the community, an officer will be dispatched regardless of the day or time. The number to call in wildlife emergencies is 905-727-3123. 

In the event of an emergency after hours, callers should follow the prompts provided.
If you require additional information about this protocol, please contact the Manager of Bylaw Services at 905-727-3123.

Helpful Downloads and Links

• Preventing and managing conflicts with Coyotes

• Protecting your property, pets and encounters with Coyotes

• What Municipal​ities Need to Know