Test of chemical deterrent for raven nesting in oil sands facilities

A large population of Common Ravens were roosting in areas of Syncrude upgrader units and defacated on many areas of the plant, which would spread further with rainfall, and the ravens also swooped at operators servicing and checking units. Their feces can contain bacteria and viruses transmittable to humans, so facilitating avoidance of these areas by ravens would protect human health and also promote relocation of ravens to more suitable habitat without causing harm to them. The project objective was a field test of “Rejex-It” as a chemical deterrence method using Methyl Anthranilate (MA) (CAS# 134-20-3) sprayed on facilities to deter nesting of ravens in operation areas – formulations of MA act as a chemosensory repellent by irritating pain receptors for taste and smell.

The baseline surveys completed in 2019 (coinciding with Suncor initiating a falconry program) detected low numbers of ravens, so Syncrude discontinued the study. Syncrude’s collaboration with other vendors did provide data submitted to Health Canada to support label change needed to use Methyl Anthranilate in a dry fog aerosol form, but Health Canada responded with a deficiency letter indicating there was not enough data to prove efficacy of the product. Syncrude decided to pursue alternative methods for deterrence rather than seeking additional permits and approvals for further trials for Methyl Anthranilate.