Letter to the Editor: Consider Humane, Effective Solutions to Human/Goose Conflict

Editor's Note: The letter below does not necessarily represent the views of Patch media.

Mamaroneck has recently signed a contract with the USDA to kill Canada Geese. Killing geese as a solution to the human/goose conflict is not an effective solution, and never has been. More geese simply move in to fill the void. For a waterfront community to resort to killing waterfowl is illogical, cruel, and wasteful. Blaming geese for water pollution when Mamaroneck has a long history of sewage-related problems is a way of avoiding responsibility for addressing the real issues.

The only effective, long-term way to handle human/goose conflicts is through a comprehensive program. This must include education to deter feeding and foster tolerance for wildlife; goose feces removal; habitat modification; and humane population management through egg oiling or birth control. A waterfront community simply has no choice but to find a way to co-exist with waterfowl.

Concerns about goose feces should be addressed by cleaning up the feces. The town has recently purchased a machine for this purpose. Concerns about population can be addressed through education and, if necessary, birth control. To commit taxpayer money toward killing geese is both a waste of money and a waste of precious life.

Many people take great joy in watching these intelligent, graceful geese who mate for life and care tenderly for their offspring. We are both saddened and outraged that Mamaroneck is committed to slaughtering them when they are totally defenseless and unable to fly during molting. It is all the more tragic that killing them will solve none of the problems that it purports to. Mamaroneck can and should do better.

Kimberly Gold, Former Greenhaven resident