This text is taken from the Courrier de la Planète of July 12, 2022. To subscribe, click here.
In addition to the very rich floristic collection, it is possible to occasionally see red foxes at the Montreal Botanical Garden. But these wild animals are sometimes fed or harassed by visitors, even though it is forbidden to do so. Space for Life therefore invites citizens to observe them from a distance, just like the other species found in this green space in the heart of the city.
During a recent visit to the Botanical Garden, The duty was able to observe and photograph, but at a good distance, two very active red foxes in a form of play. Several other visitors also stopped to watch these animals with their friendly faces. A person tried to approach them very closely, to photograph them with his cell phone. The two foxes then fled the scene, which is nevertheless part of their habitat.
This kind of visitor behavior is unfortunately sometimes observed, according to Anne Bourgoin, communications officer for Espace pour la vie. Some people even try to feed the wildlife found at the Botanical Garden: Canada goose, mallard duck, wood duck, red squirrel, raccoon, etc.
“Observing a family of raccoons at the edge of the pond can be a very pleasant sight. But when they end up in a building or when visitors approach them to feed them, at the risk of being bitten, it becomes worrying,” says Space for Life on its website.
“It’s important not to harass for a better photo or try to tame wild animals, especially at a popular site like the Montreal Botanical Garden, where more than 900,000 visitors pass each year. Space for Life cares about the health and well-being of its wildlife and the humans who live there, and we believe that the two can coexist smoothly,” explains Ms. Bourgoin.
wildlife management
Since the early 2000s, there has also been a “wildlife management policy” in order to preserve the biodiversity of the places, including the impressive botanical collection. This emphasizes that “feeding animals is an unnatural gesture that can have serious consequences for the animal”, such as making it sick or dangerous for visitors. What’s more, “by having contact with humans, these animals can transmit diseases and parasites”.
As for the red fox, the available space allows only one pair to remain there, and this, since 2011. “It plays a useful role by feeding on a large quantity of small mammals and insect pests Plant. It is very important not to feed them,” says Space for Life.
The staff of the Garden also ensures that the den where the birth takes place is not located in an area very frequented by visitors. The couple as well as the young of each litter receive vaccines against rabies during the annual vaccination campaigns organized by the Department of Large Parks and Greening, in collaboration with the Ministry of Forests, Wildlife and Parks.
And you, what beauty of nature would you like us to discover? We invite you to send us your images, your favorites and your messages.