Latest news with #groundSquirrels
CTV News
a day ago
- Health
- CTV News
Winnipeg mayor disappointed in Manitoba's decision to deny ground squirrel control plan
Winnipeg's mayor said he's disappointed in the Manitoba government's decision to deny the city's plan to use a sulfur gas pesticide to control ground squirrel populations. 'I think this delays our efforts and the need to control the population so we can fix our fields,' he said on Monday. The city has been planning to eradicate ground squirrels from athletic fields using a pesticide method known as the 'Giant Destroyer.' The program was supposed to begin last month. However, it was put on pause while the province made a decision on Winnipeg's pesticide-use permit, which it has since rejected. Following this decision, Gillingham said the city is continuing to look at options to solve the issue of ground squirrels damaging athletic fields. 'We have to make sure that our soccer, baseball, football fields and diamonds are in good shape for public use,' he said. 'These are city assets for the public.' Gillingham added that ground squirrels are making it dangerous for people to use these facilities, and he doesn't want the condition of the city's fields to cause any injuries. In a statement, Environment Minister Mike Moyes said the province's decision was informed by consultations with health, environment and wildlife experts. He added the Department of Environment and Climate Change received nearly 6,300 submissions expressing concern about the plan. 'The province is open to considering alternative control methods that demonstrate a balanced approach—addressing both operational needs and the environmental values expressed by the public,' the statement said. 'Approval will be based on proposals that reflect this balance and show a commitment to responsible pest management.' Animal advocates pleased with decision Kaitlyn Mitchell, director of legal advocacy with Animal Justice, said the province's decision is a big win for animals. 'Not only did they do the right thing here and they've prevented really unnecessary suffering, but they also looked at the law and they looked at the science and saw that there actually are more humane alternatives that can be used here,' she said. Mitchell described the Giant Destroyer as 'gas bombs,' explaining it causes animals to suffer slow deaths that can take up to an hour. She suggests that instead of the Giant Destroyer, Winnipeg should look at habitat measures or live trapping and removing the animals. 'Ultimately what it comes down to is the city should be consulting with experts on this topic and making a science-based plan,' she said. 'The plan that they had put forward was not science-based at all.'
Yahoo
3 days ago
- 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
3 days ago
- 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.
CTV News
20-05-2025
- General
- CTV News
Winnipeg waiting for provincial approval to use sulphur gas on ground squirrels
Winnipeg's plan to use a sulphur gas compound pesticide known as 'Giant Destroyer' to control ground squirrel populations has been put on pause. The control program was set to begin Tuesday. However, a city spokesperson confirmed its delay. 'The program is paused while a decision is pending from the Province on our pesticide use permit,' the spokesperson wrote in an email to CTV News, noting the timing of the approval will determine when the program can get underway. The city has been planning to eradicate ground squirrels from several athletic fields using a sulphur gas pesticide method, otherwise known as 'Giant Destroyer.' The gas would kill squirrels in their holes, which would then be filled with soil, burying them inside. 'Our fields need to be maintained in a condition where people can use them and use them safely. Even when I was a city councillor, the conditions of our sports fields was something I heard about on a regular basis,' Mayor Scott Gillingham said on Tuesday. 'When there are holes in the fields, they are frankly dangerous.' Gillingham said he doesn't have any timeline for when the program may proceed. 'I hope it's soon because we are into our sports season for the summer and so the fields need to be used.' The plan has already faced backlash from animal advocacy groups. Read more: The City of Winnipeg's plan to eradicate ground squirrels on athletic fields The Winnipeg Humane Society has previously called on the city to consider other non-lethal options like live-trapping or covering burrows with mesh or concrete. Gillingham said the city is always open to improvements in how it deals with ground squirrels. CTV News has reached out to the province for comment. -With files from CTV's Alexandra Holyk
