As wildlife adapts to urban environments, private property my attract wildlife. To reduce unwanted activity on your property:
Contact the Alberta Institute for Wildlife Conservation for small wildlife
Phone: 403.946.2361
Hours: seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Resources and information is outlined on this page about the most common animals found within the City.
We have been receiving several calls from residents regarding geese in the city. Unfortunately, it is common for geese to be in distress or perish during this time of year (early November) due to stress from long migrations. In addition to this, some geese are also infected by Avian Influenza.
What you should know:
Our response:
Our most responsible approach (while not ideal) is to allow nature to take its course. Deceased geese are being safely retrieved by our Parks staff and we are monitoring the situation closely. We are also working closely with Alberta Agriculture to address any concerns of Avian Influenza potentially entering poultry farms in the province.
According to Alberta Fish and Wildlife relocating beavers is usually ineffective because beavers are very territorial and will kill colonies that encroach on their territory. Additionally transporting animals could spread disease, like whirling disease. Introducing a beaver could also impact adjacent properties.
The City is in the process of conducting an environmental assessment and will create a strategy for how to best manage human/beaver conflict while protecting trees in the City. Parks has implemented a variety of preventative measures to protect mature trees, such as wrapping wire mesh around tree trunks. Relocating beavers is usually ineffective because they are territorial and may kill colonies that encroach on their territory.
Motion detector lights, sudden noises and spraying with water may startle bobcats.
More information available at https://www.alberta.ca/bobcats.
The City of Airdrie continues to monitor the coyote activity within City limits.
The Parks department asks that sightings be reported to the City by emailing: parks@airdrie.ca or by phone at 403.948.8400. These reports help with monitoring, mapping and determining the best areas to use control methods when necessary.
Feral domestic rabbits, descendants of house-pet breeds that have populated on their own, are not native to Airdrie. They breed frequently and produce a high rabbit population that may attract wildlife and cause damage to property and trees. If feral rabbits are spotted in a neighbourhood, it should be reported to the Parks Department.
The Richardson Ground Squirrel also known as 'gophers' are very common in Airdrie. The City has a zero tolerance level for gophers on sports fields as they create tripping hazards. The Parks department regularly monitors sports fields for gopher activity. If gophers are found in other areas, they are only removed if a residents puts in a service request, which the crews will then investigate.