GOOSEBUSTERS STOP BUSTING GEESE

Photo courtesy of Anne-Katrin Titze

From Anne-Katrin Titze, NY State DEC licensed wildlife rehabilitator: 

Goosebusters Cut Loose - Prospect Park Canada Geese - The facts are in their favor

June 20, 2011

Prospect Park officials informed me on Friday, June 17, that the contract with Goosebusters has been "stopped" and the harassment of attempting to chase out the 26 adult Canada Geese with border collies is over. In February, Ed and I met with the new Prospect Park Alliance president, Emily Lloyd to discuss our concerns and we also had meetings with her in early and late May to follow up. She has continued an open dialogue with us and has taken seriously our observations in making this decision. The correct decision based on the facts for our wildlife in 2011.

As of Monday, June 20, the adult Canada Goose count stands at 26 and since Friday, June 10, many of the geese are molting. No so-called humane methods have had any impact on the adult Canada Geese population at Prospect Park. Nearly all of the Canada Geese that arrived over the fall and winter gradually returned in early April to nest where they were born. The Humane Society's, Patrick Kwan, (member of the wildlife management advisory team) should have advised Prospect Park NOT to use border collies and kayakers to harass the Canada Geese of 2011. Instead, they continued to promote the use of harassment even though we reported that for more than the past two months the adult Canada Goose count stood at between 25 and 30.

Only 26 Canada Geese have chosen to try and become residents of the 60 acre watercourse of a 585 acre park with large sections of parkland adjacent to the lake. That's one Canada Goose per 22.5 acres or one Canada Goose per 980,100 sq. ft.

As we have been saying since November, 2010, (Not Smoke, Not Mirrors http://hunterword.com/articles/1026) the USDA cannot justify coming to Prospect Park in 2011 after the massacre of all the resident Canada Geese on July 8, 2010.

Is it asking too much to permit such a small number to be able to prosper more than 9 miles from our airports at the only lake in Brooklyn? Positive progress has been made that will improve the conditions, awareness, and strategies in the coming year so that Prospect Park wildlife and their habitat are preserved, protected and maintained.

It is time for redemption, better late than never.

Anne-Katrin Titze
NY State DEC licensed wildlife rehabilitator