The problems people have with Canada geese are largely
aesthetic but may include concerns about health and safety as
well. Geese prefer to graze on mowed and fertilized grass
typical of lawns, golf courses, and playing fields. Where geese
graze, they also defecate. Concerns are raised about both the
potential for the spread of disease through contact with goose
feces and water quality issues as feces breaks down and enters
the water.
Studies to date do not show that goose feces poses any
special health threats. Obviously, people want to avoid contact
with any animal feces regardless of health issues. Abundant
deposits on playing fields and in high-traffic areas make that
difficult, and it is reasonable that people would want to avoid
accumulations in urban parks and open-space recreation areas.
Killing birds to achieve this, however, is both short-sighted
and senseless.
Problems posed by the accumulation of goose feces should be
resolved through holistic approaches. Sensible management of
the environment includes addressing the presence of wild (and
domestic) animals and poor or inadequate water circulation,
nutrient loading, sedimentation, overfertilization,
monocultural landscapes, and other environmental issues that
contribute to the problems of urban and suburban lakes and
ponds.
Canada geese maintain strong family bonds, and nesting geese
and parents of young goslings protect their young. Approaching
a nest or family of goslings often provokes defensive reactions
from one or both parents. Serious injury from protective geese
is rare and nearly always occurs when a startled person falls
rather than from contact with a goose.
In some places, geese may cross roads or loaf around
roadsides, creating a potential traffic hazard. Airport
managers are quite concerned about geese since the danger of
one or more striking an aircraft is serious, given the birds'
large size. Airports, more than other facilities, adopt
comprehensive and integrated approaches, many of which are
non-lethal, to resolve potential conflicts with geese or other
birds. They represent special cases in terms of their needs,
but often are in the forefront in developing and implementing
innovative approaches.
