Toronto implementing new regulations to prohibit feeding of wildlife

By Lucas Casaletto

The City of Toronto is enforcing new regulations to make feeding wildlife prohibited on private and public properties next month.

A city spokesperson said the latest set of laws would come into effect on April 1, noting an increase in negative interactions involving people and wildlife in Toronto.

This includes recent feedings and exchanges with wild foxes near their dens that saw a pair of baby foxes die in the Beaches neighbourhood and a rapid rise in cases involving coyotes which typically starts with the wild animals relying on humans for food.

“Feeding wild animals changes their natural instincts and may increase their presence and tolerance of people, creating problems for both wildlife and Toronto communities,” the city said in a news release.


RELATED: Coyote seen roaming downtown Toronto near Queens Quay


The city said the new regulations wouldn’t apply to feeding songbirds on private property, provided bird feeders are kept above grade.

The announcement comes as parts of the GTA deal with Avian Influenza (bird flu) spreading amongst the bird population, including Canada geese. Last week, officials in Brampton confirmed dead waterfowl were found in the areas of Professor’s Lake and Duncan Valley Foster South.

CityNews received tips from concerned citizens that have spotted dead birds washed up along a shoreline or near a pond in their communities. One was made by a Bolton resident, who claimed that several geese had been found dead.

On Friday, the Town of Caledon shared updates on social media, confirming its bylaw team was investigating potential avian flu in a stormwater pond in the Coleraine Drive and King Street area, noting the presence of dead and sick geese.

A highly pathogenic type of H5N1 avian flu has been tearing through Canadian flocks since early 2022, killing millions of birds and infecting a record number of avian species. The bird flu rarely causes disease in humans, and transmission occurs through close contact with infected birds or heavily contaminated environments.

With files from The Canadian Press

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