The culling of canadian geese

[243kingfisher]

I have resently heard of alot of cullings of canadian geese! I personly think that this is crule and that we have no right to shoot them. does anybody else think that this should be stoped?

Many thanks.

[The Woodman]

Expanding populations of Canada Geese can be problematic.

They can compete with farm stock for available grazing around waterbodies, reduce, trample and despoil other vegetation, exterminate reed beds and can contribute to source and diffuse pollution.

They will also dominate island nest sites and exclude and prevent native waterfowl from nesting.

Culling by shooting is not the most efficient method unless done in the moult period. Egg oiling or pricking is very successful.

The species is on the general licence and as long as guidelines and legislation are adhered to, there should be no cruelty involved.

[faz]

they can be a pest species so yes as long as its not cruel

[Adam Cheeseman]

Working near Heathrow I know that a company working on behalf of the airport routinely go around oiling eggs each breeding season. Large flocks of birds are dealt with by rounding them up during the moult period when they can't fly and giving them an overdose of barbiturates.

Unfortunately most planes aren't built to withstand the impact of a 20lb goose hitting the fuselage or engine blades.

Cheers,

Adam

[Kayleigh]

Just found this on the web..

How to Addle and Oil Eggs | MDC

[Jonquil_d]

A fascinating article...but that is the US position. What is the legal position in Britain?

[The Woodman]

No permit needed here.

[Kayleigh]

Originally Posted by Jonquil_d

A fascinating article...but that is the US position. What is the legal position in Britain?

I googled it to find out what "oiling" meant and found this, I didn't notice it was in the US.

[RoyW]

Originally Posted by 243kingfisher

I have resently heard of alot of cullings of canadian geese! I personly think that this is crule and that we have no right to shoot them. does anybody else think that this should be stoped?

The counter argument is that, for the sake of other wildlife, we had no right to bring Canada Geese over here, and allow them to spread, in the first place. Rather than saying that we have no right to control their numbers, it could easily be argued that we should be obligated to do so wherever there is any evidence that they are affecting other wildlife (there is often no room for sentiment in conservation).
As others have said, control of Canada Geese is mainly carried out by preventing eggs from hatching by killing the developing embryos (rather than the killing of adult geese).
Despite culling measures, which are intended to control Canada Goose (not eliminate them), numbers are still increasing in most areas.

[Jonquil_d]

So what is "natural Britain"? We need to recognise that there is no such thing as "natural Britain" untouched by human activity. Since man first came on the scene he has affected his environment for good or for ill. He is a part of the ecosystem and we need to recognise that our activities have always brought change and always will.
Animals would come and go from the ecosystem without our help/hindrance for all sorts of reasons, bird species more easily than other groups....but it is pure sentimentality to suggest that any particular set of creatures, present at a particular time is what "ought" to be there.The fact that our introductions, sometimes deliberate sometimes accidental have far reaching consequences for species already here perhaps does mean we should be much more careful over introductions.
I personally would like to see an end to Japanese Knotweed, Himalyan Balsam and the Rhododendron...all aggressive invaders of our country side....but there is no moral reason why they should be eliminated.
I am thrilled to see Red Kites flying in Wales,and glad that the Great Bustard and the Crane live again in our land...but we do not know the consequences of the programmes to increase their populations. Other introductions or reintroductions such as the Mink, the Wild Boar and the beaver could well have long term consequences we do not forsee (Not heard of the Coypu of late) Suggestions of Wolves on the loose seem loopy to me in a country with so much pastoral agriculture...but that is my opinion. Australia and New Zealand came to rue the day that rabbits were released in those countries, and Starlings have become pest status in part in of the United States.. we do need to take care.If we were to decide that the Canada goose should not have a place in Britain that is a decision that could be taken and possibly put into effect but let's make the decision on hard scientific grounds and not out of a false sentimentality.