Common
- What species are threatened or endangered
in Manitoba?
- How do I get an eagle feather?
- How can I get a songbird identified?
- Where do I report a peregrine falcon sighting?
- Where do I report a cougar, bobcat, whooping
crane, pronghorn or mule deer sighting?
- Where can I report dead wildlife?
- Who will pick up an injured animal?
- How can I keep birds from hitting my window?
- How can I prevent raptors from killing
or chasing away songbirds?
- What do I feed waterfowl during the winter?
- What do I feed deer during the winter?
- I found a bird with a band on it. Who
do I notify?
- What do I have to do to get a wild animal
mounted by a taxidermist?
- What can I do if I have purple loosestrife
on my property?
- How do I go about donating some of my
land for wildlife?
- How do I apply for a job with the Wildlife
and Ecosystem Protection Branch or Manitoba Conservation?
- Where do I call to get a Hunters' Safety
Certificate?
- Is game farming permitted in Manitoba?
- Where can I get more information on wildlife-related
diseases such as West Nile Virus, Hantivirus and Lyme
Disease?
- Where am I allowed to pick or dig wildflowers?
Which wildflowers am I allowed to pick or dig?
- What do I do if I've come across "orphaned"
wildlife?
- How do I apply for a hunting guide licence?
1. Q:
What species are threatened or endangered in Manitoba?
A: The Endangered
Species Act of Manitoba designates any plant or animal
species native to Manitoba that is at risk.
"Endangered" (threatened with imminent extirpation
or extinction throughout all or a significant portion of
its Manitoba range): Baird's sparrow, burrowing owl, eskimo
curlew, loggerhead shrike,
peregrine falcon,
piping plover, whooping
crane, great plains ladies'-tresses, small
white lady's-slipper, western
prairie fringed orchid, and uncas skipper.
"Threatened" (likely to become endangered or
that is particularly at risk because of low or declining
numbers in Manitoba): ferruginous hawk,
mule deer, boreal
woodland caribou, western silvery aster, western
spiderwort, Culver's-root,
Riddell's goldenrod, ottoe skipper, Dakota skipper and great
plains toad.
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2. Q: How
do I get an eagle feather?
A: Eagles, eagle feathers and eagle parts are made
available to First Nations in Manitoba for traditional ceremonial
purposes on a first come, first served basis. The waiting
period for a full eagle is currently three years or more
due to the high number of applicants on the waiting list
and low eagle mortality. Other dead raptors such as hawks
and owls that are found and turned in to the department
or that are not required for scientific or educational purposes
may also be used in this program. A person may apply for
such a part or permit by submitting a request
for wildlife for traditional use to the Wildlife and
Ecosystem Protection Branch in Winnipeg by fax at (204)945-3077
or by mail to Box 24, 200 Saulteaux Crescent, Winnipeg MB
R3J 3W3.
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3. Q: How
can I get a songbird identified?
A: Contact the Wildlife and Ecosystem Protection
Branch at 945-5439 or by e-mail.
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4. Q: Where
do I report a peregrine falcon sighting?
A: All peregrine falcon sightings should be reported
to the Peregrine
Falcon Recovery Project or you can email Species at Risk directly. Include any information you
have such as time, date, location, the bird's condition,
whether you could identify a legband or not, etc.
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5. Q: Where
do I report a cougar, bobcat, whooping crane, pronghorn
or mule deer sighting?
A: Contact the Wildlife and Ecosystem Protection
Branch Species at Risk Biologist Zoologist at 945-5439 or
by e-mail.
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6. Q: Where
can I report dead wildlife?
A: Who you contact depends upon the location of
the animal. If an animal is found dead on a road or road
allowance within City of Winnipeg limits, call Animal Services
at 986-2626. If it's on a highway or highway road allowance,
contact the nearest Department
of Highways Regional office or call 945-8955. If animal
is found dead on private property, call the nearest
Manitoba Conservation District Office.
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7. Q: Who
will pick up an injured animal?
A: If you suspect an animal is injured
please call The Manitoba
Wildlife Rehabilitation Organization at 883-2582 (Glenlea).
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8. Q: How
can I keep birds from hitting my window?
A: Unfortunately, many birds cannot distinguish
the difference between the real sky and a reflection of
the sky in a window. You can minimize these collisions by
breaking up the reflection on the outside of the window
with a window screen, flash tape and bird netting.
Life-size, animate "scares" (plastic falcons,
owls and balloons) and falcon or owl silhouettes attached
to windows with suction cups are only somewhat effective.
Planting trees and installing window awnings to block the
sun from hitting the window may eliminate some reflection.
Regardless of the season, birds can fly into windows when
they're frightened while visiting a feeding station. Either
move the feeders a considerable distance away from the window,
or immediately adjacent to the window (so birds don't get
up to flight speed before hitting the window).
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9. Q: How
can I prevent raptors from killing or chasing away songbirds?
A: Falcons, hawks and owls (raptors) prey upon insects,
birds and mammals. If you feed wild birds or your yard is
home to numerous songbirds, expect a visit from a hungry
raptor. Although their presence may hinder your bird feeding
efforts, consider how fortunate you are to get a close-up
look at these magnificent birds of prey.
Place your bird feeders near shrubs or leave brush piles
near feeders. This provides the feeder birds with cover,
making it more difficult for a raptor to capture them.
Songbirds have evolved with raptors, and if adequate cover
(shrubs and trees) is available, most songbirds can avoid
raptors.
The Merlin (a crow-sized falcon) regularly nests in urban
areas. They typically nest in old crow nests in coniferous
trees. If you have large coniferous trees in your neighbourhood,
there is a chance you will have a pair of Merlins nesting
nearby.
Like robins and chickadees, raptors are protected by law.
Provincial law prohibits the capture, killing or possession
of hawks and owls, as well as the destruction of their nests
and young.
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10. Q:
What do I feed waterfowl during the winter?
A: Feeding waterfowl at any time of the year is
discouraged, as waterfowl come to rely on handouts and often
delay their southward migration.
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11. Q:
What do I feed deer during the winter?
A: We recommend that you refrain from feeding deer
at any time. Deer become accustomed to being fed at feeding
sites and soon lose their fear of humans. They may become
dangerous, especially during the rut when male deer are
particularly aggressive. Feeding also maintains deer populations
at an artificially high level thereby increasing the potential
for future property damage.
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12. Q:
I found a bird with a band on it. Who do I notify?
A: If it is a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Band,
contact the Canadian Wildlife Service at 204-983-5259, (Winnipeg)
or the Bird
Banding Laboratory at 1-800-327-2263. By reporting band
numbers you will be helping to manage the continental waterfowl
resource. When you contact these offices, you will be asked
where and when you encountered the bird.
If the band is not a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service band,
the bird is likely a fancy or racing pigeon
from a local club.
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13. Q:
What do I have to do to get a wild animal mounted by a taxidermist?
A: Application for Dead Wild Animal Possession
Permit must be completed by the applicant and a Natural
Resource Officer, and then forwarded to the Wildlife and Ecosystem Protection
Branch.
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14. Q:
What can I do if I have purple loosestrife on my property?
A: The best time to control purple
loosestrife is in late June, July and early August,
when it is in flower and plants can be easily recognized.
Pull or dig plants from the ground. At sites where plants
have gone to seed, remove all of the flowering spikes first
by bending them over a plastic bag and cutting them off
into the bag. Further cutting of stems or pulling can now
take place without fear of spreading the tiny seeds.
Proper disposal of plant material is important. Put all
plant pieces in plastic bags (vegetation rots quickly in
plastic) and take the bags to a sanitary landfill site.
Composting is not advised, as purple loosestrife seeds may
not be destroyed and the thick, woody stem and roots take
a long time to decompose. Be aware that your clothes and
equipment may transport the small seeds to new areas. Thoroughly
brush off your clothes and equipment before leaving the
site.
DO NOT BUY purple loosestrife or any cultivars from garden
centres. Numerous alternatives are available for planting.
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15. Q:
How do I go about donating some of my land for wildlife?
A: The government of Manitoba accepts donations
of lands to be secured under different situations. Contact
the Manitoba Habitat Heritage Corporation at 200 - 1555
St. James Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3H 1B5, (telephone
204-784-4350).
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16. Q:
How do I apply for a job with the Wildlife and Ecosystem
Protection Branch or Manitoba Conservation?
A: To apply to this branch or this department, send
a current resume to Human Resource Services,
1007 Century Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3H 0W4.
All public employment
opportunities with the Manitoba Government are online
and current. General human resource program information
is located on the Civil
Service Commission site. Opportunities for students/youths
are also available on the the youth
employment website.
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17. Q:
Where do I get a Hunters' Safety Certificate?
A: The Manitoba Wildlife Federation administers
the Hunters' Safety Program. More information can
be found on the Manitoba
Wildlife Federation website.
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18. Q:
Is game farming permitted in Manitoba?
A: The commercial farming of wildlife in Manitoba
occurs under the authority of The Livestock Industry
Diversification Act and is administered by Manitoba
Agriculture and Food. Elk is the only species authorized.
For more information about this industry, you may contact
Manitoba Agriculture and Food, Animal Industry Branch (204)
945-7557.
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19. Q:
Where can I get more information on wildlife-related
diseases such as West Nile Virus, Hantivirus and Lyme Disease?
A: The Department of Health provides detailed, online
information on Hantivirus,
West
Nile Virus and Lyme
Disease. An overview
of wildlife-related diseases is also available on this
website.
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20. Q: Where am I allowed
to pick or dig wildflowers? Which wildflowers am I allowed
to pick or dig?
A.Please consider leaving plants where they are
in the wild, so that others can appreciate them too. Many
plants are specially adapted to the areas they grow in.
Do not pick or dig up plants which may have difficulty adapting
to a very different new location. A variety of attractive
native plants can be obtained for reasonable prices from
greenhouses and native plant nurseries. These businesses
are able to grow plants from seed, which allows the native
plants to stay in the wild.
That said, if a plant is not listed
under The Endangered Species Act or is not
in a provincial
park or provincial
forest, a person may pick flowers, collect the seed
or relocate plants for personal use. The majority of plant
species fall into this last category. Even though there
are few legislated restrictions that currently apply to
these species, discretion in picking or removal is encouraged
and expected. Please read the following guidelines to ensure
that your activities do not break any laws, or have a negative
impact on the species you wish to collect:
- Do not pick or dig any plant species listed under
The Endangered Species Act. According to the Act,
no plant or parts thereof may be killed, injured, possessed
or disturbed. This includes the picking of flowers or
collecting of seed.
- Do not pick or dig up any plants in a Provincial Park.
It is prohibited under The Provincial Parks Act, with
the exception of edible fruits and berries.
- Do not pick or dig up any plants in an Ecological Reserve.
It it prohibited under The Ecological Reserves Act.
- Do not pick or dig up any plants in a Provincial Forest.
Taking, cutting, removing or destroying any flora within
a provincial forest is prohibited under The Forest
Act without a permit, unless plants are located on
a road allowance or a hydro line right-of-way and will
be kept for the picker's own use.
- Do not pick or dig up any plants on private land without
the permission of the landowner.
- Do not pick or dig up plants along the Trans-Canada
Highway.
- Do not pick or dig a plant which appears to be rare
in the area. You could contribute to a decline in the
species.
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21. Q:
What do I do if I've come across "orphaned" wildlife?
A: "Orphaned"
Wildlife – Leave them alone!
Annually, particularly during the spring and early summer,
hundreds of young wild animals are unnecessarily picked
up by people and turned in to Natural
Resource Officers or wildlife
rehabilitators for treatment and rearing.
The wild animals most frequently turned in are nestling
birds, deer
fawns, rabbits
and raccoons.
While persons picking up these animals are well-meaning,
it is important to realize that most of these human-animal
encounters are detrimental to the wildlife concerned and
can be dangerous to people.
It is normal for many wild animals to leave their young
unattended for hours at a time. Deer, for example, leave
their fawns for up to eight (8) hours before returning to
nurse.
There are many serious health
risks associated with handling and living in close proximity
with wild animals, including distemper, rabies, parasites
and mange. Raccoon roundworm, for example, can cause blindness
and death if contracted by people, especially children who
have a tendency to put dirt or dirty hands into their mouths.
As well, safety issues are important as wild animals are
prone to biting humans and/or attacking household pets.
Unless there is a dead carcass of the mother near the young
wild animal, it is best to leave the animal where you
found it. A genuinely orphaned animal should be taken
to the nearest Manitoba Conservation
office or to a permitted wildlife rehabilitator, such
as the
Manitoba Wildlife Rehabilitation Organization (883-2582).
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22. Q: How do I apply for a hunting
guide licence?
A: In order to become a hunting guide in Manitoba
you must complete an application form, meet specific qualifications,
and pass an examination. More detail,
process information and the application form are available
on this website.
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