While the limited-time emergency approval of strychnine for controlling Richardson’s ground squirrels (gophers) is welcome news for many producers in Saskatchewan and Alberta, Todd Smith, executive director of the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation, says news of its reintroduction comes with a degree of caution. 

“We're happy that it's a temporary measure, for sure,” said Smith, acknowledging the challenges growing gopher populations pose for producers. 

Federal approval and safeguards

Under the Pest Control Products Act, strychnine will be authorized for controlled use in Saskatchewan and Alberta until November 2027. According to the federal government, the revised application included measures such as a reduced geographic scope, enhanced stewardship programs, and mitigation strategies designed to lower environmental risks. The decision follows ongoing concerns from producers about the lack of effective alternatives since strychnine was phased out. 

Smith did, however, emphasize the ecological concerns of reintroducing strychnine, a potent neurotoxin. “The issue with strychnine, though it is very effective, it has residual effects. If it’s applied correctly and the gopher dies underground, that would be ideal. But we know that’s not always the case,” he explained, warning that carcasses consumed by hawks, owls, or other mammals could lead to unintended deaths among non-target species.  

“If it's applied correctly, the risks — from what I've been reading in studies — are relatively low. We know (producers) will need to have a license and develop an application plan for the farm or the area where it's being used to try and mitigate some of those risks,” Smith said. “We'll wait and see what the mitigation policy looks like.” 

Saskatchewan officials have emphasized that strychnine use will be tightly controlled, restricted to select regions in the southwest, southeast, south central, and northwest of the province, based on crop insurance data and species-at-risk assessments. Enhanced safeguards will include mandatory training for users, detailed application plans, and requirements for carcass collection and disposal. 

Related Stories:      

Finding balance through long-term strategies 

Smith noted that alternative approaches could help reduce reliance on chemical controls.  

“Long-term, letting native predator populations increase could help offset gopher numbers, but that’s a longer-term solution,” he said. “We’ve also partnered with SARM to connect hunters with landowners for targeted mitigation in specific areas where help is requested.” These measures, he added, are more labor-intensive but can limit risks to wildlife and ecosystems. 

Monitoring and oversight

Smith also highlighted the importance of monitoring and reporting any unintended consequences.  

“If you find dead raptors, for example, they’d need a postmortem. The Ministry of Environment or local conservation officers should be contacted. Often the animals are collected and tested for cause of death,” he said, saying oversight will be critical to balancing immediate agricultural needs with the protection of Saskatchewan’s ecosystems. 

“Our hope is that the measure is applied responsibly, so the impact on unintended species is minimal.” 

 

With files from Glenda-Lee Vossler.

Related Stories