Wildlife in Brampton

Beavers

Beaver are the largest rodent in North America and usually live in small lakes, rivers or wetlands. Beavers build dams using woody material, which helps by creating new wetlands, reduce erosion and help regulate the flow of rivers and streams. Beavers are not dangerous unless they feel trapped or cornered and that is when it will chose to stand their ground.

Beavers In Brampton pamphlet will provide more information about beaver in Brampton and what the City is doing.

If you are looking for more information about Beaver and how to prevent conflict see information provided by the Ministry Preventing Conflicts with Beavers​

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Canada Geese

Canada Geese are adept at living in urban areas as there is an abundance of food and few natural predators. They are commonly found in park settings and on or close to fresh water. Canadian Geese are protected under the Migratory Birds Convention Act therefore it is illegal to harm geese, their eggs or their nests in Canada without a permit from Canadian Wildlife Services.

Canada Geese Frequently A​sked Questions​ is a publication developed by Canadian Wildlife Service to provide more information and resources to prevent conflict, keep property safe and outline the protections for Canadian Geese.

Handbook for Canada & Cackling Geese​ also developed by Canadian Wildlife Services provides information about Management and population Control in Southern Canada.​

Coyotes

Click here to learn more​​

View Coyote Sighting Map

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Deer

In the City of Brampton it is the White Tailed Deer that shares our greenspace with us. Although deer appear to avoid human interactions when possible, they do easily habituate to human development and use residential areas that contain sufficient cover, such as golf courses, parklands and Shrub lines. Conflicts do occasionally occur and include things such as collisions with vehicles and damage to property.

To look for tips on how to protect your property and make if less inviting to deer and what precautions you can take to avoid conflict see this short read on the Ontario Ministry Website, Preventing & Managing Conflicts with Deer, Elk & Moose.​

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Rabbits

The Eastern Cottontail rabbits are native species to Canada and were traditionally found in or near wooded areas and meadows, however have had to adapt significantly to urbanization. Now you will see these rabbits frequent city parks, golf courses and residential yards. Residents can have very mixed opinions on rabbits due to their playful nature and their need to eat on vegetation such as a resident’s garden. In this page you will find facts and resources to learn more about rabbits, how to modify your yards to keep uninvited rabbits out and protecting your property when in conflict.

What to Do About Wild Rabbits​?​

Rats

Rats are common pest in large urban settings such as the City of Brampton. The brown rat also known as the Norway rat is the most common rat in Southern Ontario and not uncommon to be seeing throughout Brampton. This type of rat will build elaborate systems of tunnels and burrows just under the surface of the ground. They are commonly found in wood piles, rubbish bins, sewers and sometimes even homes if there is a cooler damp area of the home for them to dwell within.

There is also the roof rat (Also known as the Black Rat), which is significantly smaller in size, but often have longer tails than the brown rat. The roof rat is more of an agile climber and prefers to live in trees, vines and other dense vegetation. It is this type of rat that would be found in the roof or eaves of a building. It is very difficult to suggest you can get rid of all the rats from any one property, however you can control the numbers which intern controls the impact they can have within our community.

If you have a rat concern please see the Region of Peels website​ regarding their current program offered to residents of Peel.

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Avian Influenza (Bird Flu, AI, or H5N1)

Avian Influenza (AI) is a disease caused by a virus that primarily infects domestic poultry and wild birds such as geese, ducks, and shore birds. Each year, there is a “bird flu” season, and some forms of the “bird flu” are worse than others. Wild birds, especially waterfowl, are a natural reservoir for mild strains of AI. Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 is a strain known to kill both wild birds and commercial poultry.

Avian influenza has been detected in Ontario since March 2022.

The risk of Avian Flu spreading to humans is extremely rare. There are no indicators of increasing risk to the general public at this time.

Residents are being asked to take the following precautions:

• Keep animals away from any waterfowl or fecal matter
• Do not feed or otherwise interact with the waterfowl
• Keep cats indoors
• Keep dogs on a leash (as required under the municipal by-law)
• Do not feed pets (e.g., dogs or cats) any raw meat from game birds or poultry
• Pet birds, if not normally kept indoors, should be restricted to the indoors
• Bird feeders should be removed or washed with soap and water frequently to reduce the chance of bacterial or viral contamination

If you see a sick or dead bird, do not interact with it. Please call 311 to report the bird to Animal Services.

More information on Avian Influenza can be found on the Government of Canada website and on the Ministry of Health website.

More information about your pets at Avian Influenza can be found on the Government of Canada website.​

Additional Resources