geese gotta swim
While the Record downplays the City of Kitchener’s culling operations in ‘Stop goose roundup’ petition flies”
CTV’s tone suggests it leans the other way:
“What has stunned and disgusted residents the most is the horrifying reality that fertilized eggs are being torn from the adults’ nests. Canada geese work as bonded pairs to raise their young. The destruction of their eggs creates stress and trauma for the adult birds,” wrote petition organizer Kelley Bruce Miller.
The fact remains that 30 years ago Canada Geese were uncommon, and 50 years ago we thought we had wiped them out, but they have bounced back, and are now considered “abundant.”
It’s estimated Victoria Park was home to 3-500 geese when Kitchener launched its goose control program in 2007, but these days the bird population hovers around 200. The city spends $10,000 per year destroying eggs and relocating geese (who often return… they are migratory birds, after all.)
The rationale behind the program seems to be:
- Geese are protective of their nests (for good reason, apparently)
- and their young (aren’t we all?) , and
- adult geese turn 4 pounds of grass into 2 pounds of guano daily.
Protective parents are a good thing. Any public park that is home to wildlife requires that the humans using the park behave responsibly. Dog owners who let their pets off leash (irresponsibly and illegally) will quickly learn not to, as will people who get too close. If the city is concerned about liablilty, posting signs informing visitors how to behave responsibility should cover this.
As human beings bulldoze more and more wild life habitat so we can erect more single family dwellings, wildlife must have some place to go if we don’t want species to be wiped out. Seems to me we are fortunate they are willing to nest here in Victoria Park, where human families can come to enjoy them.
Besides, if every goose eats four pounds of grass each day, just think how much money the city is saving mowing the lawn!
Sign the Petition here!