Area wildlife can’t complain about the high heat and dry conditions, but they’re being drastically affected by this drought.
Eastern Ontario’s Jock River has all but dried up, a once knee-high waterway that’s been reduced to puddles of water where fish are trapped.
“There isn’t relief on the way other than Mother Nature bringing us rain,” said Jennifer Lamoureux, an aquatic biologist with the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority.
“We’re hopeful for that and hope conditions can rebound quickly and get back to normal.”
Plants like curly leaf pond weed are starting to die off, meaning fish that use it to hide in won’t have shelter from predators.
A declining fish population would affect the number of insects as well, she said.
Biologists said it’s not much different on the land, as stressed-out animals are producing smaller and fewer offspring.
“This is the driest year I’ve ever witnessed, I’ve been doing field work for 40 years,” said Dan Brunton.
“The real implications of this aren’t going to be felt next week but what’s going to happen in the fall, winter and next spring.”
Brunton said he’s predicting more bear sightings in people’s backyards if the drought continues, as they’re going to need to store up resources for the winter.
With a report from CTV Ottawa’s Joanne Schnurr
