Canadian Geese: Too Much of a Good Thing

Recently, a public outcry has gone out against what has been viewed as an "appalling" act. Large groups of geese at the Wild Duck Pond were euthanized in June, when the birds were in the middle of molting. This might have been ignored, had not a person discovered the bodies of hundreds of poorly disposed geese within Hefty bags while taking a morning June 25.

What followed was a wave of criticism from people across Bergen County, resulting in an abandonment of the policy. In addition to the perceived offensive nature of the event, the Bergen County Freeholders were concerned they were given no notice. To this, the chairman, Mr. James Carrol, said:

"Unfortunately, we can't go back in time. But we can correct the future."

Unbeknownst to neither the freeholders or U.S. Department of Agriculture , who were carrying out the gassing, the inability to time travel epitomizes the entire goose issue. However, the issue is instead the overpopulation of Canadian geese in New Jersey.

I'm sure we've all encountered these avian cattle. Their numbers are so great and dense, they consistently intrude upon the quiet enjoyment of the outdoors. What's worse, when compared to other animals in the area, the geese lack natural predators, and (as a consequence) are very bold. They don't run off and hide in the presence of humans, and other measures against animals (such as dogs) do not faze them for long.Indeed, they have become quite a pest.

In fact, they have also become a downright danger to airlines, since the innumerable flocks can get caught in jet engines and cause the planes to go down (such as the plane that the famed Captain Chesley Sullenberger saved by landing into the Hudson River). However, the Canadian geese weren't always this way.

In fact, the goose was once considered an endangered species. At one time, they were seen as one of the many symbols of the dying beauty of nature. Under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, any hunting for their skin, meat, or feathers was restricted enough to discourage any harm to the birds. Quickly, the populations of Canada geese increased, and for some, this was seen as a wonderful example of how human intervention can prevent the pristine beauty and grace of nature from disappearing. Unfortunately, no one counted on them growing to the numbers they now hold today.

To add to the complexity of the situation, the overpopulation of Canada geese that plagues Ridgewood does not migrate anymore. This would seem like unwanted news, since no goose migration means a year-round barrage of goose grazing and goose leavings. However, the fact that the Ridgewood geese do not migrate means that, technically, they don't come under the definition of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

But even if there is no loophole in the act for sedentary populations of normally migratory species, it is clear that the Canada geese have become too common to warrant their continued protection. Some have argued that it would be more appropriate to use humane tactics, such as "oiling" the eggs to prevent new generations. However, this method requires an abundance of manpower, and many nests are so well concealed as to avoid detection.

It would seem that the only effective method of real population control is the gassing. Perhaps, if the Freeholders can be shown the real situation, and allow the gassing to continue unperturbed, the Canada geese can be brought down from a real aviation threat and a ubiquitous nuisance to a population appropriate for their species.

Thomas Rohrer is a Ridgewood High School student who writes periodic opinion pieces for Ridgewood Patch.