Franklinville, NC- According to the North Carolina Wildlife Commission, populations of non-migratory Canada geese have been increasing in North Carolina and elsewhere over the last 20 years. That’s why we often see a mother goose and her gaggle of baby chicks crossing a road or sunning themselves near a parking lot. It all seems harmless and even cute, but looks can be deceiving. “Canada Geese can cause serious problems to our health and safety,” said Gwen Kuykendall, co-owner of Goose-Masters. “For one thing, a single goose produces more than two pounds of feces each day, and that degrades water quality as rains wash the matter into ponds and streams. ”Goose feces are also high in phosphorus and nitrogen, which, if found in excess, can cause nuisance blooms of algae and aquatic plants in ponds and lakes. An excess of algae and submerged plants can lead to oxygen depletion at night due to plant respiration, and that can cause a fish kill. In addition, goose feces can contain a variety of pathogens such as Giardia and Coliform bacteria, which can cause illness in humans. Large numbers of geese can elevate concentrations of these pathogens in pond and lake water, and accidental ingestion of such water can cause illness. “Canada Geese can also cause property damage because they eat all varieties of grass right down to the ground, causing significant erosion problems, and replacing lawns can be expensive,” said Kuykendall. Humans can also be injured by Canada Geese, especially during nesting season in the spring. “Adult geese with goslings or eggs in a nest are very defensive and will nip at or hit people who venture too close. They are also unpredictable, and can cause automobile accidents when they cross the road suddenly.”
Goose-Masters is a family-owned business that trains Border Collies to humanely discourage Canada Geese away from public and private property. For more information, visit www.goose-masters.com.