Release

Tues., Feb. 2, 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

City wrapping up crow dispersal pilot project

CHARLOTTETOWN, PEI  The City of Charlottetown will soon wrap up a pilot project that offered residents the opportunity to use crow deterrent equipment to deter crows from staging and roosting in residential neighborhoods. The project was slated to end Jan. 31st but was extended one week so that two users, including the Lieutenant Governors residence, could complete their two-week trial period with the Phoenix Wailers.

The wailers, which emit a variety of sounds, including birds of prey and gunshots, were purchased by the City in 2009 to direct crows out of the surrounding residential properties and back into Victoria Park. The City acquired other deterrents such as whistles, strobe lights and CDs to help residents move crows from their property.

Parks and Recreation Department staff will collect the wailers on Fri. Feb. 5 and monitor the activity of the crow population for the next two weeks. They will present the findings of the pilot project in a report that will be presented to Council by the end of the month. There then will be some staff recommendations made around any future deployment of the wailers, said Parks and Recreation Department Manager Sue Hendricken.

The crow hotline (629-4096) is still set up and will remain connected until the end of February.

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Contact

Parks and Recreation Department

City of Charlottetown

902.368-1025