Urban Wildlife

Wildlife occurs naturally in cities and towns, often without any issues. When animal / human conflict does arise, it is frequently a result of intentional feeding (leaving out grain, bread, nuts etc.) or unintentional feeding (outdoor pet food, compost, unsecured gardens or garbage, fish ponds). This type of unnatural feeding can have significant negative consequences for the health and behaviour of wildlife and can cause challenges for property owners.

Feeding wildlife (either intentionally or accidentally through outdoor pet food, compost or garbage) can:

• cause wild animals to lose their natural fear of humans
• be unhealthy for animals
• make animals dependent on human food sources – this may cause them to lose some of their ability to survive in the wild, resulting in dangerous encounters with people and other animals
• lead to property damage and unwelcome house guests
• put domestic animals, such as dogs and cats, at risk physically, or expose them to disease

For information on control of nuisance wildlife, contract the Ministry of Natural Resources at 1-800-667-1940. All costs regarding nuisance wildlife are the property owner's responsibility.

Canada Geese

Canada geese are commonly found in many Cities across Canada often making their homes in parks, sportsfields and along shorelines. Geese thrive in urban areas where they have access to food and limited predators. 

Nesting geese can become aggressive when defending their nest sites. People are encouraged to keep a safe distance, especially in the spring when they have young goslings. Please do not feed geese. Human food provides very little nutritional content and can lead to malnourishment and health problems. It can also increase the spread of disease and pollute the environment. 

• Canada geese FAQs 

Avian Influenza

In November 2025, the City of Woodstock received several reports of sick or dead Canada geese in Southside Park. As a precaution, staff sent two of the dead geese to Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative for testing and we have been informed that both birds tested positive for avian influenza.

According to the Ontario Ministry of Health, the H5N1 strain of avian influenza – also known as bird flu – has been circulating in the province since 2022. The virus can cause disease in wild birds, commercial poultry, and wild and domestic mammals. The risk of transmission from infected wild birds to people remains very low. When human infections have occurred, it is almost always following sustained close contact with infected live or dead poultry or contaminated facilities. In addition, there has been no evidence of sustained person-to-person spread of avian influenza.

In consultation with Southwestern Public Health, residents are encouraged to avoid touching all wildlife, and to take precautions when visiting local parks:

• Keep yourself and your pets away from wild birds and bird droppings. If you see a wild bird that is sick, injured or dead, do not touch it.
• Report any sick or dead birds to the Ontario Regional Centre of the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative at 1-866-673-4781 or online.
• Contact your health care provider if you develop flu-like symptoms and have had contact with a sick or dead bird or animal in the past 10 days. Symptoms of avian influenza can be similar to the seasonal flu, including fever, runny nose, cough, sore throat, body aches, fatigue, red eyes, and shortness of breath. Less common symptoms include diarrhea, nausea, and seizures.

While avian influenza has been detected in wild birds in every province and territory in Canada, there is currently only one human case of the virus that has been detected in Canada. 

Additional Resources

• Southwestern Public Health Avian Flu webpage
• Canadian Food Inspection Agency Prevent the Spread of Avian Influenza in Wild Birds infographic

Crows

Crows are intelligent, have few predators and have been increasing in numbers all over North America for the past century. Unfortunately, they are a species that benefits from human activities. The City does have a program to discourage the crows from roosting within developed areas of the city, however crows quickly learn where they can roost without being disturbed making it tricky to effectively disrupt them.

Property owners can try installing bird barriers like netting, sharp spikes on roof edges or rails, electrical shocking and reflective tape to further deter crows. Garbage should also be enclosed or set out as late as possible as the crows look at this as a food source. Use covers to protect outdoor storage, equipment or vehicles. Property owners should not use poison to avoid killing natural predators like owls and hawks. There are also bylaws and federal legislation that prohibits the keeping of raptorial and migratory birds for any reason, including as a deterrent for other wild birds. 

Dead Crows

Most of the time, bird deaths are due to natural causes or extreme cold. If you find dead birds in City parks or in conservation areas, please report the location, number of birds and type (if known) to the Parks Department. The Parks Department also works with Upper Thames River Conservation Area staff who track / monitor bird deaths in case there is a link to avian illnesses.

In crows, the ARV (Avian Reovirus) called corvid orthoreovirus causes a disease known as winter mortality of crows in which large numbers of crows become infected and die as they congregate in winter roosts. The crows most likely died over the winter and are found as the snow melts. This virus cannot be transferred to humans, but staff recommend precautionary measures (using shovels and gloves etc.) when cleaning them up.

Coyotes

Coyotes live and co-exist with humans in urban natural areas. For more information check the Ministry of Natural Resources website Preventing and Managing Conflicts with Coyotes, Wolves and Foxes. If you have concerns about a coyote or require further information call the Ministry of Natural Resources at 1-800-667-1940.

Swans

In 2024, the City of Woodstock said farewell to the pair of Mute Swans who lived at Southside Park since 1998. The swans were relocated, joining the City of Stratford flock in March 2024. 

Frequently Asked Questions