This week city councillors received a request to ban bird poisoning within city limits, as a form of controlling pigeon populations .

Living Sky Wildlife Rehabilitation Executive Director Jan Shadick says they do not believe Avitrol the most commonly used avicide applied, can be used in a manner that is safe for public pets and non-target wildlife. She explains Living Sky has experience with poisoned birds coming into their facility. Shadick suggests this includes not just pigeons but magpies and crows, which are now protected under the provicial 2021 Captive Wildlife Regulations.

Shadick says there is no way to control the amount of avitrol an bird receives or how far the bird may fly before it gets sick and dies. Shadick adds, at minimum, if Saskatoon doesn’t ban avicides signs should be posted that would inform the general public of the use of the toxins. Shadick suggests there are other deterents available and in use in other cities, that can be used instead of poisons.

The City’s Environment Committe voted to refer the request to integrated pest management and administration will also include the consideration for the use of signage within the city.