'It doesn’t help': A plea from ERCA and Point Pelee
When an unwanted animal is left alone at Point Pelee National Park, “they think they're helping the animal but really it doesn't help the animal at all,” says David Walker, the park's acting resource conservation manager.
He says at least a half dozen or more domestic animals have been found at the national park this year, telling CTV News Windsor, “An animal that's been looked after at home, not used to fending for themselves, is gonna have a hard time finding food, have a hard time fending off predators or competition and we've got coyotes here.”
Walker adds unwanted animals can also introduce disease and says three domestic rabbits were dropped off and found in rough shape last week.
“We've had someone drop off a pet turtle and what it was doing is displacing the nesting area of a native turtle that was at risk,” he says.
Officials also found an abandoned cat in the park.
“There's a tabi cat at the north end of the park. It's in really rough shape. Covered in ticks. Its tail is injured. It needs help,” Walker adds.
He and his staff have not been able to catch and rescue that cat or two other cats that are wandering around in the park, saying, “Once we get another sighting of it we'll get a live trap out there and try to get it," which is what they do for all animals that are not native to the park.
Walker says cats helped wipe out flying squirrels at Point Pelee decades ago. The species had to be re-introduced into the park in the early 90s.
ERCA Chief Administrative Officer Tim Byrne says cats can become a top predator when left alone in nature.
“They will destroy a natural area just by reverting back to natural hunting instincts," he says.
Byrne encourages residents to contact the Humane Society for advice on what can be done with an unwanted animal, saying, “Do not bring them out and drop them off at a natural area. It's the worst thing you could do.”
Point Pelee sends wild animals in need of medical care to Wings Wildlife and Erie Wildlife Rescue.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. seeks ban on using drugs in 'all public spaces,' shifting approach to decriminalization
The B.C. government is moving to have drug use banned in 'all public spaces,' marking a major shift in the province's approach to decriminalization.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
Trump's lawyers try to discredit testimony of prosecution's first witness in hush money trial
Donald Trump's defence team attacked the credibility Friday of the prosecution's first witness in his hush money case, seeking to discredit testimony detailing a scheme between Trump and a tabloid to bury negative stories to protect the Republican's 2016 presidential campaign.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
Air traveller complaints to Canadian Transportation Agency hit new high
The Canadian Transportation Agency has hit a record high of more than 71,000 complaints in a backlog. The quasi-judicial regulator and tribunal tasked with settling disputes between customers and the airlines says the backlog is growing because the number of incoming complaints keeps increasing.
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.
U.S. flight attendant indicted in attempt to record teen girl in airplane bathroom
An American Airlines flight attendant was indicted Thursday after authorities said he tried to secretly record video of a 14-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom last September.