ALLIANCE FOR ANIMALS E-NEWS
August 2020
50 GEESE "REMOVED" FROM
YAHARA GOLF COURSE

At the end of June, Madison Parks hired USDA-APHIS Wildlife Services to "remove" 50 geese from Yahara Golf Course based on population levels and prior years’ experience.

As you all know, "removed" is a euphemism for rounded up and killed during the geese's molting season when the birds cannot fly.

According to Paul Quinlan, interim Central Parks Supervisor at Madison's Parks Division, they are relying solely on habitat modification and hazing to manage conflicts at Madison beaches and parks. There are flocks of geese on Lake Mendota that move between several beaches including Tenney, Shore Drive, Law Park, Esther Beach, James Madison, and Tenney.

Parks told us that they encourage people to continue to monitor and haze the geese, so they learn to avoid beaches, bike paths and athletic fields. However, as far as we know, there is no organized plan to do this nor mention of it on their website. Repeated requests for Parks to ask for volunteers on Parks' website have been ignored. The word "geese" does not seem to occur on Parks' website.
WHAT CAN WE DO?

This is a problem that is getting more and more difficult to deal with. We understand that no one wants to walk in goose droppings when they go to the beach or to a park. However, is Parks really doing enough to deter the geese? Alliance For Animals volunteers have hazed geese, picked up poop, and oiled eggs.

If you are in the Madison area and are willing to take some time to help, there are a few things you can do.

  1. Take this Google survey to let us know that you would like to help this year or next spring.
  2. Participate in a virtual training/meeting via Zoom to learn how to help haze geese. It's not difficult at all, but if you've never done it before it might sound a bit scary. Information on training/meeting dates is included in the survey.
  3. Let Parks know that you do not agree with their lethal response to the geese. You can comment on Facebook, write a letter to the editor of the Wisconsin State Journal or the Cap Times let your City Alder know that you do not approve of Parks' actions. Below are some helpful links.
HELPFUL RESOURCES/LINKS

Letters to Editor - Wisconsin State Journal. Here or email here: wsjopine@madison.com

Cap Times - Here

Write your City Alder - Who Is My Alder?

Comment on Madison Parks Facebook page
Alliance For Animals is an all-volunteer nonprofit animal rights organization. All donations go directly to public service announcements, billboards, bus ads, advocacy campaigns, and other forms of action depending on the interest of our volunteers and supporters. Please donate today to make our voice for animals stronger.
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