Human beings have an unfortunate tendency to think of wildlife in terms of the trouble it can cause. It is true that wildlife control in Richmond Hill is necessary to remove wild animals from homes, for their safety as well as that of the homeowners. But when animals get into human habitations, they do so without malice. They are just trying to survive by acting on their instincts. 

Furthermore, coexisting with wildlife at a healthy distance offers many more benefits than problems. Wildlife is important to the environment, the economy, and a sense of Canadian identity. 

Why Is Wildlife Important to People?

Before the advent of European settlers, the Native peoples of Canada relied on wildlife for their survival. Some plains-dwelling First Nations relied on the bison for most of their basic needs, including food and clothing, while the Inuit have traditionally been similarly dependent on the muskox. In both cases, there is a spiritual dimension to the relationship between the animals and the people who rely on them. Today in post-colonial Canada, many First Nations people are still reliant on fishing, hunting, and trapping to meet their dietary needs and as a significant source of income. 

Even for people who do not rely on wildlife in this manner, it is still important to them in other respects. Wildlife reminds us of the natural wonders of the world that, despite all our scientific discoveries, we still do not fully understand. It inspires artistic work such as poetry, art, drama, and music. The relationship to the country and the many species that inhabit it is important to Canadian identity. There is a reason why four out of six Canadian circulation coins bear images of iconic wildlife with a strong association with Canada, including the beaver, loon, and polar bear.

Why Is Wildlife Important to the Economy?

Apart from the revenue that can be earned by hunting and fishing, wildlife is important to the Canadian economy in other respects. Canadians spend billions of dollars on recreational fishing and hunting every year. This results in billions in tax revenue and hundreds of thousands of individual jobs supported by outdoor recreation. 

It is not only residents of Canada who appreciate its unique wildlife. Whale watching, polar bear observation, and bird watching are all opportunities offered in Canada that draw foreign tourists to places such as Churchill in Manitoba, Cap Tourmente in Quebec, Point Pelee National Park in Ontario, and the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador. The money they spend to get here and during their visit is vital to the Canadian economy. 

Why Is Wildlife Important to the Environment?

An ecosystem is an area of the environment with a consistent climate in which different plants and animals have evolved to depend on one another. These relationships are not only beneficial to the plants and animals themselves, but they are also important to endeavours necessary to human life, such as agriculture. For example, birds help to control the insect population, while bats and insects pollinate food crops. When wildlife is plentiful, it helps to preserve genetic diversity, making ecosystems more resilient. On the other hand, as populations of certain species dwindle, it makes the survival of the entire ecosystem more precarious. 

What Can You Do To Help Wildlife?

Many species of Canadian wildlife are endangered, which has negative implications for the health of the ecosystem as well as the success of human endeavours that, in turn, affect the economy. You can help by becoming involved in a local chapter of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, which helps domestic animals as well as wild ones, or by joining a wildlife conservationist group in your community. 

Another way that you can help wildlife is by calling Skedaddle for wildlife removal in the event that an animal is present in your home. We remove animals humanely and prevent their ability to return. Find out more about what is involved in our process.