Fencing Alleviates Nuisance Molting Goose Problems in an Urban Park in Tennessee

Abstract

Canada geese (Branta canadensis; geese) often congregate in high public use areas while molting during summer, resulting in increased nuisance complaints. We censused geese that inhabited a Cookeville city park in Tennessee, USA on a weekly basis from 2013-2014 to determine the magnitude, trends, and seasonal nature of problems caused by urban goose flocks. Fewer than 50 geese were counted in most months except during the molt, when numbers increased to over 200. Most geese dispersed from the park shortly after completion of the molt. Molt site fidelity to the park was estimated to be 51.5%, indicating that permanent relocation or euthanasia would not provide long-term nuisance relief and may impact local hunting opportunities. To mitigate the nuisance aspect of high densities of molting urban geese in the park, we herded molting and flightless geese to a closed portion of the park and fenced them out of the public use area. Our temporary fencing, coupled with reduced human disturbance in the area where geese were relocated, alleviated the nuisance problems typically associated with large concentrations of geese. We recommend that other municipalities that are experiencing similar seasonal nuisance goose problems consider using non-lethal fencing options.

Keywords

• branta canadensis
• canada geese
• harvest management
• human-wildlife conflicts
• molting chronology
• molt site fidelity
• temporary fencing
• urban parks