The City of Yorkton is trying to recruit a contractor to deal with nuisance wildlife.
A request for proposals (RFP) is currently open until 2 p.m. August 26.
The bid form asks potential contractors to provide a cost per bird for crow removal, cost per nest removal and insurance cost. They must also provide copies of a current firearms licence, proof of liability insurance and a list of firearms and ammunition.
The specifications of the RFP only mentions crows, but Crystal Riffel, secretary for the Parks and Arena branch of Community Development Parks and Recreation, said once the officer is contracted, the department will expand the specification to deal with pigeons and other nuisance wildlife such as skunks, raccoons and coyotes.
A recent survey conducted by Richard Swallow of RIVA Specialized Cleaning and Pigeon Control for the Yorkton Business Improvement District indicated the pigeon problem is growing in the city.
Certain businesses such as Westfair Foods, Jay’s trucking and the owners of the old nun’s residence next to St. Mary’s cathedral have privately contracted Swallow to clean up their properties.
Mayor Bob Maloney said the coyote problem is also significant citing Logan Flats.
“If somebody has a small dog, you probably shouldn’t be walking out there at dusk or early in the morning,” he said.
