End Raptor Baiting – Petition

Our purpose is to initiate an enforceable regulation that makes the baiting of Raptors illegal for any purpose other than those outlined in the petition below. The petition is being forwarded to the Honourable Kathleen Wynne, Premier of Ontario and the Honourable Nathalie Des Rosiers, Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry.

For many years we have witnessed unethical individuals and/or groups engaging in behaviour that puts these magnificent birds of prey at risk.

These birds are easily habituated to people by being fed and will in fact fly towards approaching vehicles expecting handouts. Birds are put in harm’s way due to vehicular impact. There is also the potential of relying on handouts and neglecting to feed. The introduction of food that is unnatural or unsuitable to the bird creates the possibility of illness or poisoning. The effort spent in flying to each approaching vehicle can impact on the stored energy they require to actively hunt and could lead to emaciation and possibly death.

It is unacceptable to endanger these birds by supplying food/bait in an effort to get them closer for any reason including but not limited to observation, photography, harassment or capture.

This petition has been created in anticipation of adding a new regulation to the already existing Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act (FWCA) of Ontario, 1997 that would make this practise illegal.