Preventing Nuisance Wildlife

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Coyote standing on green foliage.

Do you have nuisance wildlife on your property and running through your neighbourhood?  What should city residents do to deal with this problem? The following information is intended to provide direction.

The City of Fredericton's Animal Control bylaw gives the municipality jurisdiction to license and control domestic animals, including dogs, cats, budgies, parrots, parakeets, hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs, and fish. The City encourages responsible pet ownership (PDF).

The New Brunswick Department of Natural Resources has general responsibility for nuisance wildlife cases involving moose, deer, bear and some species requiring special management.

For problems with other nuisance wildlife like bats, porcupines, beavers, raccoons, chipmunks, skunks, coyotes, squirrels, foxes, starlings, mice, groundhogs, etc., the Province encourages citizens to hire a licensed animal control operator to take care of the situation.

Most nuisance wildlife problems are a result of wildlife looking for food and/or shelter.

Preventative tactics for resolving nuisance wildlife problems include putting garbage bins in a locked shed, placing pet food inside at night, keeping family pets from roaming at large, and placing skirting around the base of decks and outbuildings to discourage wildlife from burrowing in these locations.

For more on handling specific nuisance wildlife or for general information on the subject please call the Natural Resources 506-453-3826 or visit their website.