The City of Winnipeg's application to use 'The Giant Destroyer' sulfur gas to control burrowing ground squirrels on athletic fields has been rejected by the provincial government. The decision, influenced by public concern and the city's failure to adequately consider alternatives, means the city must find other humane methods to manage the rodent overpopulation, which creates hazardous holes in parks.
Winnipeg's ground squirrels get new lease on life: Sulfur gas ruled out as control measure
City of WinnipegWinnipeg Humane SocietyRichardson ground squirrelsAnimal advocacyPest controlPest population managementSulphur gasThe giant destroyerCanadaManitobaWinnipegBrad NanceDavid DomkeKrista BoryskavichMikayla Mcnabb-MaryVivian SantosAnimalsDogsRodentsSquirrelsGeneral news
AI Summary
TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️The City of Winnipeg's application to use 'The Giant Destroyer' sulfur gas to control burrowing ground squirrels on athletic fields has been rejected by the provincial government. The decision, influenced by public concern and the city's failure to adequately consider alternatives, means the city must find other humane methods to manage the rodent overpopulation, which creates hazardous holes in parks.
- 1 May 20 (initial plan): The City of Winnipeg initially planned to start using Giant Destroyer.
- 2 Thursday (recent): Mike Moyes, provincial environment and climate change minister, sent a letter to the city.
- 3 Friday (recent): The City of Winnipeg spokesperson expressed disappointment in the decision.
- 4 Saturday (recent): Krista Boryskavich of the Winnipeg Humane Society spoke to CBC News.
- 5 Present: The City of Winnipeg is left without a feasible option for squirrel control and must determine next steps.
- Ground squirrels get a 'new lease on life' as the controversial pesticide will not be used.
- The City of Winnipeg must explore alternative, more humane options for pest control.
- The public safety risk from deep, exposed holes in parks and playing fields will continue to grow without control.
- Considered a 'win' for animal advocacy.
What: The provincial government rejected the City of Winnipeg's application for a permit to use a sulfur gas product called 'The Giant Destroyer' to kill burrowing ground squirrels.
When: The provincial environment and climate change minister sent a letter to the city on Thursday; the city issued a statement on Friday; Krista Boryskavich spoke to CBC News on Saturday. The city initially planned to start using the product on May 20.
Where: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada (specifically on athletic fields, parks, and community centre fields).
Why: The city sought to control rodent overpopulation (Richardson ground squirrels) whose burrows create holes that can injure people and pets. The permit was denied due to 'a high volume' of public concern and the province's belief that the city hadn't adequately considered 'alternative methods' for managing the squirrels, with the Winnipeg Humane Society opposing the method due to concerns about slow, painful death for the animals.
How: The City of Winnipeg applied for a permit to use the pesticide 'The Giant Destroyer'. The provincial government denied this application.