As previously posted, in response to Council direction, City staff have begun a review of the City’s Wildlife Strategy, which Council approved ten years ago. Although prompted by specific incidents of human – wildlife conflict, the review will encompass the full Strategy.
Residents are invited to review the city’s existing Wildlife Strategy to provide feedback on its recommendations and implementation as well as complete a short survey to help provide insight on the City’s current Wildlife practices. The survey will remain open until June 30, 2023.
The City will be hosting both an in-person and virtual information sessions, on May 31st and June 7th, and will include a summary by staff of the successes, failures, and gaps in implementation of the current Strategy.
Staff have provided an update on the review process, as many councilliors have heard from concerned residents regarding city policy with regards to animals, particularly bears. Staff stated that they had reached out to the Ottawa Carleton Wildlife Centre on May 12th to discuss the Wildlife Strategy Review and are currently working to set up a fulsome discussion.
Staff continues to conduct the review of the strategy, as directed by Council, and part of this review includes consulting with residents, experts, and other municipalities.
You can visit Wildlife Strategy Review | Engage Ottawa to provide comments, find links to the current Strategy, information on the review, a public survey, and information on upcoming public engagement meetings.
Through the survey and the public engagement meetings, City staff seek constructive engagement with residents on changes to improve the Wildlife Strategy and its implementation.
The theme of the Wildlife Strategy is respectful coexistence. Ottawa’s urban, suburban, and rural landscapes support a wide range of wildlife. Most residents value this contact with Nature. However, conflicts can arise. The purpose of the Wildlife Strategy is to help reduce conflict through public awareness, public education, and promotion of best practices by the City and the public.
The current Wildlife Strategy discusses the roles and responsibilities of governments, the City, and residents in dealing with wildlife. It provides guidance on the resolution of conflicts when they occur.
The revised Wildlife Strategy will be based upon public feedback, expert advice, and best management practices from other jurisdictions.
