Wildlife // Living in Harmony With Wildlife
Living in Harmony With Canada Geese
Few things are more beautiful than a goose family lined up for a morning swim. Few things are more inspiring than a flock of Canada geese heralding the turn of seasons as they fly their ancient patterns of migration.
Thanks to human decimation, geese were almost extinct by the 1950s. To restore populations, geese were relocated to areas where they had never been found before. As a result, geese have adapted to urban and suburban areas, remaining there year-round. Goose populations have exploded, and today, many states are trying to resolve conflicts between geese and humans.
As their homelands are lost to development, "wild" animals such as Canada geese are forced to live in closer proximity to humans. We owe it to these animals to do all that we can to coexist with them peacefully.
About Geese
Geese possess many of the qualities that humans strive to attain. Devoted to each other, goose couples mate for life, raise and protect their babies together, and take care of one another. Geese also use teamwork when flying in formation. They will honk to encourage each other, and if a goose gets sick, wounded, or shot down, two flockmates will stay with the goose until he or she dies or is able to fly again.
Did You Know?
- Geese and their babies begin talking to each other while the goslings are still inside the egg.
- Geese pass down their migratory routes from generation to generation.
- Goslings cuddle with each other for warmth and protection.
- Highly emotional, geese mourn the loss of their mates and eggs.
- Geese use as many as 13 different calls to convey warnings, extend greetings, and express emotions such as happiness.
Solving Conflicts Compassionately
Effective, humane methods of waterfowl control do not target the animals themselves but, rather, the things that attract them to certain areas. Methods such as population stabilization, site aversion, public education, and other deterrents can be used to control waterfowl populations humanely.
For example, thousands of people, with only the kindest of intentions, endanger the health of waterfowl by feeding them. This seemingly benign activity can lead to avian botulism, crowding, and competition, and it also encourages migratory waterfowl to stay in areas that they would otherwise vacate because of limited food sources. People who love to feed ducks and geese might reconsider doing so if they knew that their seemingly kind and generous act has the potential to kill large numbers of birds. For more detailed information on humane waterfowl control, please check out PETA's "Humane Goose-Control Solutions" guide.
Given the many humane solutions to perceived waterfowl problems, it's easy to keep the peace with Canada geese. After reviewing our materials, if you still need help assisting your community with developing a humane waterfowl-management program, please e-mail us for more information.
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