Pikwàkanagàn is situated in a rural setting close to Algonquin Park and a number of other provincial parks so witnessing wildlife, including bears, is not uncommon here in our community.

Wildlife will scour and scavenge for food when their natural diet is scarce. Raccoons, bears and skunks and other animals will approach household garbage looking for things to eat.

To keep wildlife safely out of your yard the following tips are recommended:
- store garbage in steel or airtight containers
- do not leave pet food outside overnight
- wash garbage containers often
- clean up your bbq
- remove fallen fruit around fruit trees and pick ripe fruit

Remember that while raccoons, baby skunks and bear cubs can appear cute and friendly, they are wildlife and deserve respect. Do not tease or torment frightened animals. Poking young animals with sticks or throwing rocks at them is not wise. A mother will protect her babies at all costs and may attack with sharp claws and teeth.

If wildlife has become a troublesome or a danger, call the Algonquin Harvest Department Enforcement Officer for assistance.

Raccoon/Esiban

The original names for the raccoon come from the tribal languages of Native Americans. While some of these names have survived the centuries, many are no longer used.

Names describing agile forepaws:
Abnaki: asban, one who lifts up things
Old Algonkin: ah-rah-koon-em, meaning they rub, scrub, scratch
Modern Algonquin: Esiban (close to Abnaki word for one who lifts up things)

This highly intelligent animal can be found throughout most of southern Canada with the exception of Newfoundland. The average weight of an adult male is 8.5 kg. The largest reported weighing in at over 28 kg.

Raccoons live in forested areas near water. Some of their favourite foods come from the water like crayfish, frogs, small fish and turtles. Raccoons will eat wild berries, corn and mice. They are mainly nocturnal. Generally mild-mannered, they will fight bravely against great odds if cornered. Their teeth and claws are very sharp.

Raccoons are highly intelligent and use their hands much like humans with great dexterity. They can open closed containers and get into the oddest places. You will often find them scavenging around homes. Raccoons will eat just about anything they can find in your garbage although they prefer sweets, fruits, bread, peanut butter and especially cat and dog food. While they appear cute and docile, do not attempt to feed raccoons. They will return often for handouts and may get lazy when providing food for themselves. A raccoon may bite you accidentally if you attempt to feed him by hand or he may bite you on purpose if he thinks you are taking his food away from him.

Remember that raccoons are wildlife. They survive best in their natural habitat and deserve our respect.

Skunk/Shigàg

Skunks are found throughout Ontario. They live along the edge of the forest or in pastures where there are bushes. They are easily distinguished by their black coat and two white stripes down their back which begins as one thick stripe on their head. The skunk is about the same size as a house cat. Its eyes and ears are small. It can not see too well, but has a very good sense of hearing.

Skunks are primarily nocturnal and have few natural enemies, the chief being the great horned owl. At night they venture out catching insects and looking for fruit. They also eat meadow mice, gophers, moles and chipmunks. The skunk does not hibernate in winter but sleeps often with frequent waking periods.

The skunk is most famous for its odour. A skunk has musk glands and can shoot a foul liquid when threatened. First, it will give a warning when something approaches it. It will stamp the ground with its feet and snap its teeth. If the threat continues the skunk will quickly turn around, lift up its tail and spray. The liquid can shoot out as far as four meters.

Many concoctions have been devised to rid pets and humans of skunk odour but they don't really work and time is the only cure. It is a wise to give a skunk lots of room.

Bear/Makwa

The black bear ranges across forested regions of Ontario. A solitary animal most of the year, they pair up briefly during the mating season. Cubs remain with their mother for about a year.

Black bears swim well and often climb trees to feed on buds and fruit. They have a keen sense of smell, acute hearing, but poor eyesight. Bears can be seen at any hour of the day, but are most active at night.

Black bears are omnivorous; they eat insects, roots, berries, fish and nuts. Their diet consists of about 75 percent vegetable matter, 15 percent carrion, and 10 percent insects and small mammals. Their love for honey is well known and ripe sweet corn is a delicious treat.

Bears are highly intelligent and can quickly locate food sources when necessary. They can often been found here in the community scouring through the dump. While black bears are naturally timid they have been known to lose their fear of humans through repeated exposure.

Many bears venture close to human habitats in search of food but not all bears are troublesome creatures. The bear is a special animal and deserves our respect.

Some information of the above information gathered on bears including tips on reducing the likelihood of coming in contact with wildlife came from www.mnr.gov.on.ca/mnr/bears. For more information and assistance with bear concerns contact: www.troublebruin.net/home.html

To view each heading click on the graphics provided on the top of the page. If you get lost, click on Home in the top right hand corner of your screen to return to the main page.