Latest news with #WinnipegParks
Yahoo
01-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Winnipeg's ground squirrels get new lease on life: Sulfur gas ruled out as control measure
The City of Winnipeg has lost its bid to use a controversial pesticide to kill burrowing ground squirrels that staff say have created a hazard on a number of athletic fields. The provincial government rejected the city's application for a permit to use a sulfur gas product called "The Giant Destroyer" to kill the rodents. Their burrows create holes in the ground that can injure people and pets. "I write to encourage the City of Winnipeg to explore alternative options that prioritize the safety and well-being of Manitobans," Mike Moyes, provincial environment and climate change minister, wrote in a letter to the city on Thursday. "I recognize the challenge involved in balancing the safety of park visitors, environmental protection and public access … I hope the city will take the necessary steps to find a resolution that ensures our parks remain both accessible and safe for all this summer." Left unchecked, the burrows created by the squirrels are a danger to people and animals. The city initially planned to start using Giant Destroyer at eight parks and community centre fields on May 20, but the program was delayed while awaiting a provincial permit. In a statement on Friday, the city said the province had denied its application after hearing from "a high volume" of people who were concerned with the pesticide strategy. The province said it also thought the city hadn't given adequately considered "alternative methods" for managing the squirrels. A city spokesperson expressed disappointment in the decision. "We do not have any other feasible options," read an email to CBC News. "As also mentioned, the public safety risk of deep, exposed holes in parks and playing fields is already significant and will only grow without control." The Winnipeg Humane Society opposed the use of sulfur gas over concern the squirrels would die slowly. "What we understand is that this type of sulfur bomb does not necessarily result in instantaneous death for the animal, so that could mean suffering as they die a slow and painful death for anywhere up to an hour. And obviously that's not anything that anyone wants to see," Krista Boryskavich, an animal advocacy lawyer with the society, told CBC News on Saturday. "We've been working really hard to try and get a different approach to managing ground squirrels that is more humane and ethical, and that doesn't result in prolonged distress and suffering for animals, so this decision is certainly a win in that regard." The city had planned to fill the holes with sand after the animals were killed to prevent any animals including dogs or coyotes from eating an affected rodent that had escaped a hole before it died. The city's statement on Friday did not detail its next steps.
CBC
31-05-2025
- General
- CBC
Winnipeg's ground squirrels get new lease on life: Sulfur gas ruled out as control measure
Social Sharing The City of Winnipeg has lost its bid to use a controversial pesticide to kill burrowing ground squirrels that staff say have created a hazard on a number of athletic fields. The provincial government rejected the city's application for a permit to use a sulfur gas product called "The Giant Destroyer" to kill the rodents. Their burrows create holes in the ground that can injure people and pets. "I write to encourage the City of Winnipeg to explore alternative options that prioritize the safety and well-being of Manitobans," Mike Moyes, provincial environment and climate change minister, wrote in a letter to the city on Thursday. "I recognize the challenge involved in balancing the safety of park visitors, environmental protection and public access … I hope the city will take the necessary steps to find a resolution that ensures our parks remain both accessible and safe for all this summer." Left unchecked, the burrows created by the squirrels are a danger to people and animals. The city initially planned to start using Giant Destroyer at eight parks and community centre fields on May 20, but the program was delayed while awaiting a provincial permit. In a statement on Friday, the city said the province had denied its application after hearing from "a high volume" of people who were concerned with the pesticide strategy. The province said it also thought the city hadn't given adequately considered "alternative methods" for managing the squirrels. A city spokesperson expressed disappointment in the decision. "We do not have any other feasible options," read an email to CBC News. "As also mentioned, the public safety risk of deep, exposed holes in parks and playing fields is already significant and will only grow without control." Sulphur gas to be used for ground squirrel control 1 month ago Duration 2:06 The Winnipeg Humane Society opposed the use of sulfur gas over concern the squirrels would die slowly. "What we understand is that this type of sulfur bomb does not necessarily result in instantaneous death for the animal, so that could mean suffering as they die a slow and painful death for anywhere up to an hour. And obviously that's not anything that anyone wants to see," Krista Boryskavich, an animal advocacy lawyer with the society, told CBC News on Saturday. "We've been working really hard to try and get a different approach to managing ground squirrels that is more humane and ethical, and that doesn't result in prolonged distress and suffering for animals, so this decision is certainly a win in that regard." The city had planned to fill the holes with sand after the animals were killed to prevent any animals including dogs or coyotes from eating an affected rodent that had escaped a hole before it died. The city's statement on Friday did not detail its next steps.
CBC
14-05-2025
- Health
- CBC
City crew picks up hundreds of needles, at least 2 knives in Winnipeg parks since program launch
A city crew picked up hundreds of needles in Winnipeg parks over the first few days of the city's proactive cleanup program. Over the course of eight workdays, from April 22 to May 1, the two-person crew picked up 944 needles from 16 parks, which city staff identified as needing greater clean-up, public works director Jim Berezowski's said in a verbal report to the executive policy committee. "Because that's the start of the season and the remnants of the snow melt, we probably feel like the spike is at the front end, and we're hoping to see that be a little more manageable in its numbers down the road," Berezowski said. It's part of an effort driven by Daniel McIntyre Coun. Cindy Gilroy, in response to complaints from residents, businesses and daycares about dangerous items left in parks. Some of the "hot-spot locations" include Mostyn Place Park, which had more than 300; Fort Douglas Park, which had 173; and the Assiniboine Riverwalk, which had 172, Berezowski said. Over the same initial eight-day period, the crew has collected 239 pipes, 28 bags containing drugs and traces of drugs, and three full needle disposal kits. At least two knives were also found. Berezowski says the program has gotten a positive response. "Our staff that are coming across the people that are in the park areas, they're very understanding and appreciative of the work that our staff are doing. So we're seeing a lot of positivity in the community as a result," he said. Along with the money in the budget, council also sent a request to the provincial government, asking it to help with collecting the needles that are distributed by health and social services agencies that it partners with. "So those agencies who are giving needles out would find a way to be in part responsible for making sure those needles come back or there's a collection of needles, as well," Mayor Scott Gillingham told reporters in a news conference on Tuesday. City spokesperson Julie Dooley wrote in an email there was "no update" on the request to the province. A report in October 2024 estimated it would cost up to $260,000 a year to do the clean-ups year-round, but council approved a smaller-scale project, including $60,000 in this year's budget to do the cleanup for a seven-month period. "This is a seasonal service, being budgeted for," Berezowski said. "We may see that we have to deal with this for a period of time that we don't yet know. We're going to continue this on, we may have to look at the time and the funding for that." The 16 locations the city has chosen to do the cleanups are: Central Park. Air Canada Window Park. Millennium Library. Assiniboine Riverwalk. Mostyn Place Park. Bonnycastle Park. Stephen Juba Park. Fort Douglas Park. Saigon Park. Gord Dong Park. Freighthouse Community Centre. Giizhigooweyaabikwe Park. St. John's Park. Michaelle Jean Park. Joe Zuken Heritage Park. Euclid Avenue/Austin Street passive park.
