Manitoba Animal Save

Winnipeg plans to kill ground squirrels between May 20- October 3, 2025. Let your voice be heard!
Winnipeg is addressing a ground squirrel (specifically, Richardson's ground squirrel) population issue, with plans to resume control measures using a sulfur gas pesticide, known as "Giant Destroyer," on athletic fields this summer, following concerns about safety and usability of parks and sports fields.
Ground squirrels, also known as Richardson's ground squirrels, are burrowing in Winnipeg's parks and sports fields, creating potential safety hazards (holes in turf) and making fields "unplayable".
Winnipeg's "solution" is to use a sulfur gas pesticide, known as "Giant Destroyer," to kill the ground squirrel population on athletic fields.
The city developed ground squirrel management guidelines in 2015, which lists carbon monoxide as the primary course of action, but the methods used to apply it were found to be unsafe for city workers. The guidelines recommend sulfur gas in the event carbon monoxide is not effective.
The Winnipeg Humane Society has voiced concerns about the use of sulfur gas, stating that it causes suffering and distress to the squirrels.
The city plans to treat eight high-priority athletic fields, with four of them located in the Point Douglas area, between May 20- October 3, 2025.
SPEAK OUT and let the Environmental Approvals Branch know your concerns:
MANITOBA ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Environmental Approvals Branch
Box 35, 14 Fultz Boulevard
Winnipeg, Manitoba
R3Y 0L6