New signs are going up in Niagara to help stop people from feeding wildlife.
Niagara Parks says new signage will be installed at various sites, as well their staff members will be spreading the word that it's banned on their property.
Some Ontario communities have had to implement new bylaws to get people to stop feeding wildlife.
At Niagara Parks, new signs will be placed at Dufferin Islands, where the issue is especially severe, as well as Kingsbridge Park and the Botanical Gardens.
Officials say although well-intended, wildlife feeding can lead to unusual or aggressive behaviour, overcrowding and the transmission of disease, growth disorders, malnutrition, delayed or failed migration leading to winter death, an increase in rodents and other pests, degradation of water quality and park lands, as well as other negative impacts.
Except for in extreme circumstances, wildlife already have plenty of appropriate food available to them.
"The arrival of the highly deadly strain of avian flu in Southern Ontario has further heightened the dangers of wildlife feeding at Niagara Parks, especially as a recognized Internationally Important Bird Area that is home to numerous bird species. While all bird species are susceptible to infection, domestic poultry flocks (chickens, turkeys, domestic ducks and geese, etc.) are more likely to become severely ill and die when infected. "
Niagara Parks will be introducing staff ambassadors at Dufferin Islands beginning on the Victoria Day long weekend.
The Niagara Parks Police Service will also help engage with the public to address the issue.