Saskatchewan Environment says our recent stretch of harsh weather has resulted in many people asking what options are available to help wildlife cope.

The department says that the natural inclination is to put out feed, but Biologist Katherine Conkin says, “Although winter-related starvation can occur, trying to help wildlife through supplemental feeding, or feeding programs, can end up causing these animals more harm than good,” She says, as an example, when deer eat carbohydrate-rich food sources during the winter, such as grain or hay, they can die from a process known as rumen acidosis, or bloat.

Supplemental feeding can have other negative consequences, such as drawing animals in from long distances and away from good winter cover. It can also increase predation and disease transmission.

Conkin says, “The ministry monitors annual winter conditions and adjusts species management strategies to ensure wildlife populations are sustainably managed over the long term.”
For more information, see this story at cjwwradio.com.

There are a variety of conversation initiatives that residents can participate in. They can also get involved through co-operative wildlife management surveys and the annual Hunter Harvest Survey.

Residents concerned about wildlife-related damage are encouraged to visit the Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation’s webpage here, to learn more about prevention techniques or for information on available compensation for damaged agricultural commodities.

Under the Wildlife Damage Compensation Program, all Saskatchewan producers are eligible for up to 100 per cent compensation on damage caused by wildlife. You do not have to be an existing Crop Insurance customer to make a claim.

For more information, go here.