There was another bird strike near LaGaurdia Airport over the weekend.
One wonders if this can be blamed on molting, non-flying geese?
Regardless, geese will take the fall for it.
Canada geese are the easy catch-all, scapegoats for seemingly any human created or perceived problem. And their punishment and banishment by federal and city authority for alleged "crimes" is now imminent once again in New York City.
But, the goose roundups and slaughters have apparently not gone unnoticed by everyone in New York City and specifically those frequenting city parks.
Last night, I noticed a woman staring at Buster, Bonnie and their six now grown goslings for a long time near the Boat Lake.
"That is the Mother goose," I finally said, pointing to Bonnie. "And that is the Daddy," pointing to Buster. "The other six are their babies hatched this past April."
"Oh yes, I know." the woman answered softly. "I love watching the geese. In fact, some years ago, I used to bring corn for them. But, now I am afraid of becoming too attached....." Her voice then wandered off.
"What do you mean?" I asked, though could easily guess the answer.
"A few years ago, I followed the geese at the Reservoir. But, then they disappeared one day. A man told me they had been rounded up in the early morning and taken to be gassed. I can't bear the pain of that! Getting to know the geese and then realizing this is what happens to them."
"Well, it is true that geese are being rounded up in city parks around the city and these days sent for slaughter." I replied. "But, to my knowledge, that has not occurred in Central Park. The USDA which conducts the roundups puts out a report every year naming the parks that they culled geese from. But, they have never cited Central Park -- though they have surveyed it. Are you sure the man saw the geese being taken away from Central Park? Perhaps they were harassed? Central Park admits to using harassment against the geese."
"The man said he saw the geese being put into crates and driven away."
Obviously, this conversation was quite disturbing because if even only remotely true, it would mean potential goose roundups in Central Park have been completely hidden from the media, the public and even USDA Goose Removal Reports.
But, not being able to talk directly with the person the woman was referring to, I had to remain skeptical. Its possible and likely after all, the man was talking about witnessing a goose roundup elsewhere or quoting newspaper articles on the subject or might have misinterpreted a harassment of geese which we know occur in Central Park.
"The geese were rounded up from Turtle Pond, too." the woman then added.
"If you are talking about the family of geese who were at Turtle Pond in 2010, they are here at the Boat Lake now. Once the goslings are capable of flying and the adult geese grow in their flight feathers, they move. You see over there? That is Mama goose from that family. And Papa and the grown kids are nearby on the rock."
"I don't know..." the woman answered not seeming to believe my assurances that the Turtle Pond geese had moved naturally and were OK. "I've seen the news reports about the geese being rounded up and killed from all over the city. Its extremely upsetting. I am now afraid to get too close for fear of losing them."
Certainly the woman had a legitimate reason for being "afraid" for the geese she was actually seeing last night. I too, share the same fear considering the roundups are likely less than a week away and certainly Central Park cannot be considered immune to them.
I then handed the woman a flier and told her about (27) GooseWatch NYC and of the upcoming protest for the geese to take place in front of Bloomberg's townhouse at 17 E 79th Street this Wednesday at 6 PM. http://us4.campaign-archive1.com/?u=f30b9b8b6b96841f3dcf76c40&id=9ea394521f
"Oh, I work until 6 and then attend classes," the woman answered regretfully. "And I am not normally one for Facebook. But, I am so pleased to learn there is a group actually working on this! I greatly appreciate the flier and information!"
"Well, it would be good if you can go to the page and sign up. Its helpful to know that other people care and are working on a common goal. Getting depressed and disengaging is unfortunately, probably what the authorities are hoping for."
And it was that which was the main thought coming away from last night's conversation with the woman.
That it is too often the reality that the people who have come to know and love geese over time too often succumb to depression -- a sense of helplessness and powerless and ultimately, disengagement when learning of the terrible and brutal fates that too often have befelled and destroyed the geese.
That is, what most of all needs to change.
We are ultimately only as "helpless and powerless" as we choose to be.
We need to find our gumption to not only further engage, but to actually confront the forces that clamor for and carry out the destruction of the geese. -- PCA
*******
No comments:
Post a Comment