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Westchester4Geese
Mamaroneck Geese on Death Row
By Stefani Kim,
Larchmont Mamaroneck Patch The Village of Mamaroneck plans to execute geese for a crime some say
that are not guilty of. The mournful squawks of Mamaroneck Village�s population of Canadian Geese
may be silenced this summer if officials go through with a plan to cull the
large numbers of birds that have declared residency in Harbor Island and
Columbus Park. The village contracted with the United States Department of Agriculture
(USDA) in February of 2012 to gather up an unknown number of geese during
molting season�the period from mid-June to late July where geese shed and
re-grow their outer feathers�to be taken away and killed. The USDA is one
the three federal agencies�including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
(USFWS) and New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
(DEC)�that share responsibility for the geese in New York, according to the
DEC website. �In terms of the inter-governmental agreement between the village and the
USDA, it is a minor contract (maximum amount is estimated at about $8,700)
that did not require Board approval, but which was supported in concept by a
majority (at least four members) of the past Board,� said Village Manager
Richard Slingerland, continuing, �I am not sure about the positions of the
current elected officials on this matter, but I have not been asked to stop
this effort.� Prior to the goose slaughter, the USDA will also be oiling eggs in order
to prevent them from hatching; Wildlife Services [a division of USDA�s
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service] will then determine whether or
not to proceed based on the numbers of geese that remain. If they are given the green light to go ahead, said USDA Spokesperson
Tanya Espinosa,�Geese are placed alive in commercial turkey crates, and are
taken to a poultry processor, where they are humanely euthanized and
processed for human consumption following the guidelines set by New York
State Agriculture and Markets, NYSDEC Bureau of Wildlife, and New York State
Health Department.� Espinosa said the meat will be donated to a NY-based food or charity
organization that requests it. Although there are no regulations prohibiting consumption of Canadian
Geese, said Peter Constantakes of the New York State Department of Health,
state fishing and waterfowl advisories recommends consuming no more than two
geese per month. "We have done studies that show that there should not be health risks
associated with consumption-but advisories are basic recommendations," said
Constantakes. Though the problems inherent to a large goose population have plagued the
village for three decades�which include large amounts of fecal buildup in
Harbor Island and Columbus Park as well as overgrazing in lawns�said Mayor
Norm Rosenblum, more humane efforts to control the numbers have been
unsuccessful. �My mandate is to address the health, safety and welfare of Mamaroneck
Village�it has gotten to a point where it is an environmental and health
issue�it becomes dangerous,� said Rosenblum, referring to the concerns that
fecal matter may be contaminating local waterways and areas where children
play in the park. Rosenblum said that officers on patrol in the area often have to bring an
extra pair of shoes to avoid tracking the goose waste into their homes and
cars. But it�s uncertain what, if any, risk the geese pose
to humans other than an annoyance. In years past, village officials have attempted to deter geese by
shooting off whistling rockets; planting tall grasses and natural areas in
Harbor Island and Columbus Parks; and even hiring a group that rounded up
geese and relocated them to North Carolina, only to have them return shortly
thereafter. Recently, the village invited local dog owners to participate in a goose
chasing program at Harbor Island, said Slingerland. The village has also
purchased a "goose poop vacuum" that they plan to utilize in the late spring
and summer and before major events such as Fourth of July fireworks. �Our efforts address a major growth in the Canadian Goose population in
New York State in general, and Westchester in particular. Population growth
is due in large part to the fact that there are great food sources and very
limited numbers of natural predators to Canadian Geese in our area,� said
Slingerland, adding that the USDA estimates that the goose population in NY
State is approximately 250,000, three times what is considered normal. Although wolves, foxes and coyotes typically feed on geese, they are in
short supply in Mamaroneck. And, though crows, raccoons, hawks and owls are
known to eat goslings, they are less likely to approach areas with large
numbers of birds, said Slingerland. �The geese will return, this is not even a temporary measure and is
disgusting and inhumane. These are animals that mate for life and are
social creatures. They have been part of our village landscape
forever,� said Mamaroneck resident Gina von Eiff in an email to village
officials. Kiley Blackman, the founder of Westchester4Geese, has called for a
meeting with Mamaroneck officials to reconsider the slaughter. If all goes
as planned, she said, the killings should be televised on local cable
networks. �The geese are being scapegoated for an extremely faulty sewage system
that has gotten Mamaroneck fined by the EPA for human fecal matter in the
water, and it should have been corrected years ago. Residents report finding
condoms and worse in the Sound-and it is extremely unlikely they were put
there by the geese,� she said in a press release. Rosenblum acknowledges that the goose slaughter is an emotional issue for
many, but that it�s a problem that has gone on too long. Responding to the criticism of others, he said, �Let them put the herd
out to feed in their own backyard.� See more about
Westchester4Geese |
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