Researchers at the Royal Saskatchewan Museum are uncovering the wildlife in Regina as part of an urban wildlife study. Since fall 2021, they’ve used 28 monitoring stations across the city to collect photos and audio. They recorded 143 bird species and 15 mammal species.
Common species include Canada geese and white-tailed jackrabbits. The American mink, however, is considered quite rare. Ryan Fisher, the museum’s curator of vertebrate zoology, notes the project’s aim is to understand how urbanization affects wildlife. So far, the impact appears limited.
Fisher emphasizes Regina’s ample green spaces. “We have a nice corridor that runs from northwest to southeast Regina,” he says. This green belt seems to be a refuge for various species. Many birds thrive in suburban areas where natural environments blend with human structures. Moose have also been spotted on the city’s edges.
A separate study led by Katie Harris at the University of Saskatchewan shows a rise in moose around Saskatoon. From September 2020 to September 2023, her monitoring stations recorded an increase from eight moose in the first year to 29 in the third year. A memorable incident involved a moose crashing through the window of Sylvia Fedoruk School in 2021, highlighting growing interactions between humans and wildlife.
Harris suggests urban green spaces might attract more wildlife. “Cities often create conditions that, while different from natural habitats, can be beneficial for some animals,” she explains. Think of it as an all-you-can-eat buffet for wildlife.
The implications of climate change could further shift this dynamic. A recent study indicates that cities across Canada may welcome hundreds of new animal species by 2100. Alex Filazzola, a data scientist at Western University, suggests warmer urban areas might provide suitable conditions for cold-sensitive animals. Some species like ticks are already moving into urban settings.
Researchers want to understand how urban design can support both wildlife and humans. Jordan Rustad, involved with the Regina study, points out the need for more thoughtful city planning. Notably, many free-roaming cats in Regina pose a significant threat to birds, causing more fatalities than any other factor.
To help mitigate this, experts recommend keeping cats indoors. Harris echoes the importance of enhancing green spaces to support urban wildlife. She advocates for planting diverse flora, not just maintaining lawns with limited vegetation.
Cities can also install wildlife-friendly features, like special fencing and low-light bulbs, to create safer environments for nocturnal animals. These small adjustments could significantly improve how wildlife coexists in urban areas.
As urban faces change, understanding wildlife patterns remains crucial. Adapting city designs with nature in mind is essential not only for wildlife but also for our own well-being. For more details, check out Birds Canada about the threats facing bird populations.
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mammal species, Katie Harris, Ryan Fisher, University of Saskatchewan, urban wildlife, Royal Saskatchewan Museum, common species, monitoring stations, Canada geese, Alex Filazzola, green spaces
