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HUMANE CONTROL MEASURES
There are humane ways to control Canada goose populations (see below) - if
there really are too many geese in an area. But an unrepresentative minority
of people can sometimes persuade a land-owner into hasty action against Canada
geese which is deeply unpopular with the majority of land-users who like and
appreciate these fine birds.
The best answer in urban areas - where many people want to feed the birds -
is to encourage them in some areas but not in others (using the humane control
methods described below). This makes it easier to keep parks clean, and keeps
everyone happy. Remember that although goose-mess may look unsightly, it is
not a health-hazard (it's simply recycled grass after all).
Egg-control (making eggs sterile by soaking in paraffin, or by some other method)
is not considered a humane control method. However if carried out, then egg-control
should be done as humanely as possible - i.e. soon after the laying time. If
the eggs float when submerged in a bucket of water then the embryos are already
2 weeks old and well-developed and should be left alone. At least one egg should
always be left unharmed, or geese will lay another clutch.
A combination of control measures may be more effective than one method by
itself - and it is always best to seek specialist advice on implementing these.
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