Wildlife in LaSalle

In the Town of LaSalle, being environmentally cautious is key to preserving the natural beauty and ecological balance of the area. LaSalle is home to several environmentally sensitive regions, such as the waterfront along the Detroit River, the wetlands, and the many forests and green spaces that provide vital habitats for wildlife.

Residents and visitors must actively engage in practices that help protect these vital ecosystems. Reducing pollution, conserving water, promoting biodiversity, and respecting natural habitats are essential steps in ensuring that LaSalle’s environment remains healthy for generations to come. Whether it’s through supporting local conservation initiatives, reducing waste, or avoiding harmful chemicals, each action plays a significant role in safeguarding the town's sensitive areas.

The importance of protecting LaSalle’s natural environment cannot be overstated. As a community, we must take collective responsibility for maintaining the ecological integrity of our parks, wetlands, and the riverfront, ensuring that LaSalle remains a vibrant and sustainable place for both people and wildlife.

Environmentally sensitive areas (ESAs)

Are places that are particularly vulnerable to harm or damage due to their unique natural characteristics. These areas play a crucial role in supporting wildlife, maintaining water quality, and protecting biodiversity. They can include things like wetlands, forests, riverbanks, and coastal areas, as well as habitats for endangered species.

Here's why they are so important:

1. Biodiversity Hotspots: ESAs are home to many types of plants, animals, and insects, some of which might only live in these specific environments. Protecting these areas helps keep our ecosystems healthy.

2. Water Protection: Areas like wetlands or riverbanks help filter and clean water, preventing pollution from spreading to other areas. They also act as natural buffers, reducing the risk of floods by absorbing excess water.

3. Climate Change Mitigation: Forests and wetlands help absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, which can help slow down climate change. They play a big role in balancing our planet's climate.

Because they are sensitive, even small changes can have a big impact. Activities like construction, pollution, or invasive species can harm these areas, which is why it's important for governments and communities to protect them. 

Species at Risk (SARs)

This section refers to animals, plants, or insects that are in danger of disappearing from the planet. These species are at risk for a variety of reasons, such as loss of their natural habitats, climate change, pollution, hunting, or the introduction of invasive species that compete with them for food or space.

There are several levels of risk, ranging from species that are just starting to show signs of trouble to those that are on the verge of going extinct. Here are some common terms used to describe them:

1. Endangered: These species are at a very high risk of disappearing completely if something isn’t done to protect them. For example, there might be only a few hundred or even just a few dozen left in the wild.

2. Threatened: These species are at risk of becoming endangered in the near future. They may still have healthy populations, but certain factors are making their survival more difficult.

3. Special Concern: These species aren’t in immediate danger, but their numbers are decreasing, or their habitats are being affected, and they could become more at risk if conditions don’t improve.

Every species plays a role in the ecosystem, whether it’s pollinating plants, controlling pests, or providing food for other animals. When species at risk disappear, it can disrupt the balance of nature and have effects on the environment and even human communities. Protecting these species helps maintain healthy ecosystems and the benefits they provide.

Species listed within the ecosystem of LaSalle are;

• Eastern Massasauga Snakes
• Butternut Trees
• Eastern Fox Snakes

Eastern Massasaugas in LaSalle

Wild Animals in Ontario:

Throughout Ontario, people and wild animals live side by side.

There are benefits to living near wild animals. Many people enjoy birds that visit their gardens, bats consume millions of mosquitoes, and coyotes eat mice and rats. However, conflicts can arise when humans encroach on wildlife habitat and wild animals behave in ways that damage our property, cost us money, or endanger our health or safety.

For more information about managing and protecting plants, animals, land, water, forests and other ecosystems, visit the Province of Ontario Wildlife and Nature web page.

Coyotes in Urban Areas:

Late January through to early March is mating season for coyotes, so you may hear them howling or yipping to communicate, and you may see more of them.

Coyotes generally do not pose a danger to people, but can pose a danger for pets. For residents who live or walk near typical coyote habitat including creeks, forests ,and open spaces, please take extra caution.

If you see a coyote, keep your distance and the animal will most likely avoid you.

• Never approach, touch, or feed a wild animal
• Keep trash cans covered
• Avoid leaving pets outside unattended
• When walking your dog, keep them on a leash and close by
• Cats should be kept indoors or supervised while outside
• Never run or turn your back on a coyote, slowly back away

If any wild animal poses an immediate threat or danger to public safety, call 9-1-1 or LaSalle Police Service at 519-969-5210. Unless the coyote is posing an imminent threat, please don't call 9-1-1. If you would like to report a coyote sighting, call the LaSalle Police non-emergency line at 519-969-5210. 

The Ministry of Natural Resources provides useful information on dealing with coyotes. You can find resources on best practices, encounters with coyotes and protecting your property on their website:

Preventing and Managing Conflicts with Coyotes

Coyote Watch Canada is a wildlife organization that advocates for positive experiences between humans and wildlife. They offer resources for coexisting with coyotes. Please see Coyote Watch Canada's website for more information:

Coyote Watch Canada: Coexisting with Coyotes

Report a Coyote Sighting

Coyote Watch Canada tracks the location of coyotes. Share your information about a coyote that you have encountered.

Raccoons

Raccoons are found all over Ontario, in forests, towns, and cities. They are mainly active at night, during the spring, summer, and fall. Raccoons will consume almost any food item, including vegetables, fruits, nuts, plants, eggs, insects, and small creatures. They will also eat from garbage and compost.

Raccoons with Distemper

Raccoons are susceptible to Canine Distemper. This is a virus that may cause the raccoon to act abnormally. Canine distemper is not a risk to humans, but it does pose a threat to dogs that are not vaccinated. 

Symptoms of Raccoons with Distemper

• Walking slowly, circling or stumbling as they walk
• Disoriented or lethargic
• Glowing eyes
• Mucus discharge from the eyes and nose
• Coughing, tremors, seizures or chewing fits
• May approach people or curl up to sleep in an open area
• May become aggressive if cornered

What to do if you see a Raccoon that appears to have Distemper

Do not approach the raccoon or attempt to feed them. Call the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry at 1-800-667-1940.

The Windsor/Essex County Humane Society may be available to assist locally pending the availability of their officers. You can call 519-966-5751 to report a distempered raccoon.

What to do if you see a dead Raccoon

If you see a dead raccoon in LaSalle (laying on a sidewalk, trail, or on the road) you can call the Town’s Animal Control Officers at 519-816-7627 to report it. This does not include animals on private property. Animals on private property are the responsibility of the property owner. If you are experiencing issues with animals on your property, you should call a licenced trapper for assistance.

Additional things you can do to help

To discourage raccoons or other wildlife from coming onto your property:

• Do not leave any food out in the open
• Ensure that all garbage and recycling is securely stored and only left out when necessary for collection
• Keep your pet on a leash when outside and check the yard before letting them out
• Check with your vet if you are unsure whether your dog is vaccinated or not