A Goose Cause

Forget the alcohol. Forget the drugs.  Forget the medications, food, shopping or whatever other diversions people use to help get them out of some funk.

 

Find a swimming pool, jump in, swim at least a mile --  and hope that when you get out, you find some beautiful geesies and duckies to finish taking the edge off.

 

Guaranteed to put a smile on your face even if the whole world were to suddenly cave in.

 

I felt like the world was caving in yesterday after a particularly combative, testy and frustrating phone conversation.

 

Some people might think I enjoy these kinds of confrontations because I seem to engage in so many of them of late.   But, I actually don't.

 

On the contrary, sometimes they are simply depressing -- like some heavy weight crushing down on one's shoulders.

 

I didn't look forward to making the call yesterday because I knew the recipient and I were coming from two different places.  I needed to ask tough questions and I was quite sure she would not want to answer them.  Indeed, I didn't know if she even had the answers to give.

 

The call started off politely enough:

 

"Ms. Bannerman, I have some questions regarding last month's goose roundups around the city."

 

"I will be happy to help," Carol Bannerman, of USDA's Public Affairs answered cordially.

 

"Well, as you know a press release went out in June issued from the DEP announcing that about 800 geese would be rounded up from the NYC Metropolitan area by USDA and sent to Pennsylvania for processing and donation to a food bank.  But, we are having trouble confirming that story. Can you tell me exactly where the geese were sent to? What slaughtering plant?"

 

"I cannot give you the name of the processing plant for privacy and security reasons.  But,  I can tell you the geese were sent to Pennsylvania as announced."

 

Feeling slightly disappointed, but not surprised that Bannerman wouldn't divulge the name of the slaughterhouse, I pressed on.

 

"What kind of processing plant is it?  Do they slaughter domestic animals as well?"

 

"It is a waterfowl processing plant," Bannerman answered with some edge in her voice.

 

"Can you send me a copy of the kill permit?"

 

"You mean the depredation permit?  I can ask Lee Humberg to send you that. You spoke with him, didn't you?  Why did you say he hung up on you?"

 

"I didn't say he hung up on me! The battery in his phone went dead or he picked up on another call. He told me to hold on, but the line went dead."

 

I was very surprised and somewhat taken aback, that Bannerman knew I had spoken with Lee Humberg, also of USDA last week.  I had not told her that.

 

"He was speaking to you while driving his car." Bannerman offered, flatly.

 

"He didn't say anything about driving a car," I replied. (I guess that explains Humberg's sporadic silences last week.  I had speculated he was playing video games on the side.) 

 

I then added,  "Mr. Humberg advised me to call you, Ms. Bannerman. He said you might have answers to some questions."

 

"What else do you want to know?" Bannerman asked, the politeness seemingly gone out of her voice.

 

"Well, I am confused about who has responsibility for testing the geese for possible toxins. The Communications Director at the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank told me it was the USDA.  But, Mr. Humberg told me it is the state."

 

"We didn't announce what food banks the geese might be going to."

 

"No, but a newspaper article quoted the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank as saying they would 'welcome' NYC geese.  But, when I spoke with Brad Peterson of the food bank, he told me that even though they had received goose meat, it was not labeled and he didn't know where it was from. He also seemed to be misinformed about whose responsibility it was to toxicity test the geese." 

 

"Protocols have changed in the last couple of years. The state tests the geese," Bannerman answered curtly.

 

"That's a very broad statement, Ms. Bannerman," I answered,  feeling annoyed. "WHO in the state?  What agency or entity?  And what are they testing FOR?"

 

"The New York State Department of Health tests and deems the geese fit for human consumption," Bannerman replied.

 

"But, I thought we were taking about Pennsylvania!" I shot back. "Who in Pennsylvania tests them?"

 

"Pennsylvania already has the processes in place for testing and distribution. They are doing that now."

 

"But, the gentleman at the food bank told me they had already received their allotment of goose meat for this period.  Were these geese individually tested for things like mercury, lead, PCB's and pesticide residues?"

 

"Why don't you ask these questions of hunters?" Bannerman asked somewhat abrasively. "They killed 70,000 resident geese in New York State last year.  They eat them!"

 

The question totally stunned me.

 

A number of sarcastic barbs popped up in my mind:

 

Do I sound like the kind of person who would have hunters as friends?  How do you know the geese are 'resident?'  Do the geese wear signs dangling from their necks when flying announcing, "I am a resident goose!"

 

But, since the conversation was already getting heated, I decided to skip the sarcasm.

 

"Ms. Bannerman, hunters shoot geese in the fall when the birds are not molting and sickly. They also shoot them in rural areas.  Areas that are not routinely spayed with pesticides -- like city parks."

 

"Sickly?  What do you mean by sickly?" Bannerman inquired, skeptically.

 

"According to bird experts, geese can be feverish and sickly when going through the molt. I believe that based on personal observation. Geese are much more sluggish and lethargic when going through the molt. They barely move and appear disheveled.  And yet, you are going to feed these sickly birds to people!"

 

"That is your opinion!"  Bannerman countered, angrily.

 

"It is NOT my opinion that the geese are feeding on park grass that is treated with pesticides. That is a FACT -- especially with the fear of West Nile Virus."

 

At this point, the conversation was going downhill quickly and continued to degenerate.

 

We continued to argue about the testing.

 

"As said, the NY State Department of Health deems the geese healthy enough for human consumption," Bannerman reiterated.

 

"When did they decide that?" I asked.  "The Dept of Health didn't previously approve of the geese for human consumption.  When did they test the geese and come up with the change in policy?"

 

"They ran tests last year."

 

???   I was totally stunned by Bannerman's statement once again.

 

"I am confused now," I replied earnestly.  "I thought the geese rounded up last year were gassed and simply dumped in a landfill."

 

"Gassing with CO2 does not render the meat unfit for human consumption," Bannerman replied with confidence. 

 

"So, they gassed the geese and then tested all of them and then dumped them in a landfill?  That doesn't make sense!"

 

"Obviously they didn't test a thousand geese!   They tested some of them."

 

"Well then, that is just a sample!    How does a sample apply to hundreds of wild birds rounded up in different locations and in this case, different years?"

 

At this point, both Bannerman and I were totally irritated and agitated with each other.

 

We weren't getting anywhere constructive.

 

"Look, do you want to continue to discuss this?" Bannerman asked with obvious distaste and disdane. "Or, do you want me to send you the report?"

 

"Send the depredation permit to my email address" I replied, knowing I would not get anything further out of Bannerman.

 

"I will ask Lee to send it to you." Bannerman replied cooly.

 

"Thank you."

 

Following this most extremely unpleasant conversation, I felt depressed.

 

Was I too argumentative and combative with a woman who was simply "doing her job?"  What kind of answers did I expect from a Public Affairs professional?

 

From what I gathered from the difficult conversation, Bannerman didn't really have answers to most of the questions I threw her way.  She doesn't make decisions for roundups.  She doesn't even go out on them. Its simply her job to defend them.

 

And that she does well.

 

It was pretty obvious from maybe the first five minutes that Bannerman and I were not going to agree on anything.  We were coming from totally opposite ends of an issue, like two politicians running for office and hotly debating.

 

Although I am normally a person who doesn't worry or care much about whether or not I am "liked" by others, it does bother me sometimes to think I am some kind of "warrior" in a battle, deliberately edging people on and looking for weak spots.

 

The contentious conversation ran through my mind and I jotted some of it down in a notebook.

 

But, I couldn't make any decisions about it.

 

At least not until having a good swim.

 

After tuning in the TV to watch, "Jeopardy" I headed quickly out after the bonus question to Lasker Pool at Harlem Meer.

 

Part of me dreaded going to the Meer again as the last two times there, I had only found one goose on the entire lake.   That in itself was "depressing."

 

But, this time when returning to the Meer, there was a total of five geese once again.

 

Apparently the family of four geese had returned!

 

The one lone goose (from last week) appeared to be trying to find an "in" with the family, but politely kept a safe distance, so as not to presumably irritate the gander.

 

Feeling relieved that there were at least a few geese at the Meer, once again, I headed to Lasker pool.

 

The temperature was only 68 degrees.  A delightfully cool evening after all of the rain of the weekend, the pool was very sparsely attended.

 

The cool water felt great!

 

Invigorating, emancipating.

 

It was good to be "flying" once again -- like the geese.

 

After the 40 minute swim,  I showered, quickly dressed and then headed out again to walk around the Meer.

 

I found a goose feather along the south embankment and picked it up.

 

Hopefully, it would be good luck.

 

And sure enough, a little further along the path, there were the five geese in the water peacefully swimming together, the "loner" goose, however, a good twenty feet or so from the family.

 

I tossed some crack corn to a mother mallard and her one surviving duckling.  Other mallards joined in and few minutes later, the family of four geese cautiously climbed the embankment.

 

I grabbed my camera from my swim bag and started to take some photos.

 

I marveled at how big the gander of this family was. Almost twice the size of his much smaller mate.  Their grown goslings too, looked healthy, beautiful and spiffy.

 

And then, Brad, the flightless domestic duck who lost his mate, Angelina early in the summer, happened on the embankment to grab some treats, along with a couple of female mallards.

 

It was a whimsical, beautiful scene.

 

The mallards were chatty and feisty (as always).  The geese wary and a little skittish, but peaceful and self-contained.

 

"Loner" goose however, remained in the water, seemingly just watching everything.

 

He probably would have been foolish to challenge the very large gander of the family.

 

Finally, tossing out the rest of the seeds and lettuce, I said goodnight to all my feathered friends and began to head out of the park.

 

Suddenly, I no longer felt questioning or "depressed" about the earlier,  combative conversation with Carol Bannerman of the USDA.

 

If I am a arrogant bitch or purposeful warrior, it is at least for a noble and worthy cause.

 

My beloved geese are worth fighting for, every minute of every day.

 

A goose cause.   -- PCA

 

 

                                                          ********

 

 

 

 

Someone's Mother, Father, Mate, Sibling or Offspring

A soupy, soggy weekend -- or, as some might say, a "great day for ducks."

 

But, watching the ducks and few geese bobbing up and down in the Reservoir while the rain poured down on them yesterday, it didn't seem they enjoyed it all that much.

 

But, unlike us and dogs, at least the rain rolls off waterfowl's backs.

 

I had wanted to check the pond on the upper west side of Central Park yesterday to see if there were geese there.

 

But, when the steady rain turned to a downpour, I had to cancel that plan.

 

By the time my dogs and I made it home, we all looked like drowned rats.

 

I am still only seeing the one family of four geese on the entire north side of Central Park.

 

Granted, while there might be some geese at the pond, it is a very small watercourse and is usually not noted to have many, if any geese at all.

 

This low number of geese at Central Park is very concerning -- especially for this time of year.

 

In fact, I am not aware of any locations around NYC right now with a sizable population of geese.

 

There are a dozen or so geese being reported now at Inwood Park (one of the targeted sites for a goose roundup this year). There are between 20 and 35 geese at Prospect Park.  And someone reported "one goose" on the Hudson River the other day.

 

Hardly staggering numbers of geese anywhere -- or at least the areas that are being reported to us.

 

Moreover, virtually all the articles on geese these days pertain to the "early" and "expanded" hunting seasons on them conducted nationwide.

 

One state, South Dakota has already begun its hunting season on geese and is seeking to "reduce the population by 2/3rds."

 

http://www.argusleader.com/article/20110814/NEWS/108140320/Early-goose-season-begins-today

 

If we think that the summer is the cruelest season for the geese, we need to think again. 

 

 It is true that thousands of geese and their babies are rounded up in summer from urban areas around the country and either gassed or sent to slaughter.  But, summer is nothing compared to the fall when hundreds of thousands of the birds are literally blown out of the skies.

 

In looking at the family of geese yesterday at the Reservoir -- Mama, Papa and their two surviving goslings, it occurred to me that all the geese who will be shot over the upcoming weeks and months will be someone's mother, father, sibling, mate or offspring.

 

Imagine all the sacrifice and effort to raise and protect young, only to lose them a few weeks after learning to fly?  Or, imagine the juvenile geese who lose their parents before learning the routes of the fall migrations and the family's wintering locations?

 

Imagine the despair of a goose who has lost his or her mate.
If geese need to live and fly in large, organized flocks this is why.

 

Because they are bound to lose family members along the way. 

 

None of these were comforting thoughts to me yesterday.

 

Although I expected this family of geese to soon be flying, a part of me is hoping they might stay at the Reservoir forever (which will not, of course, happen).

 

Sure, the food supply might not be the greatest as there is no grassy lawn to graze on.  But,  the Reservoir is at least reasonably, "safe."

 

And its probably the only watercourse in all of Central Park that doesn't entirely freeze over in the winter.

 

I keep wondering where the other geese went who were in Central Park over the summer?

 

Did the geese find a new "staging" location to meet up with former members of flock and extended family members?

 

Harlem Meer doesn't seem to be the gathering spot anymore.  And as of this point, I don't know what place is.

 

I am just hoping that the geese don't dare fly to any rural areas of the state in the upcoming weeks and months.

 

The guns and arrows of autumn are already being loaded and will soon be ready to go.

 

No safe place for the geese.

 

And no safe season.   -- PCA

 

 

                                                            *********

 

 

                                                                  

 

PROTECT OUR GEESE UPDATE -- Past, Present and Future

From Protect Our Geese, by David Karopkin (with additional contribution)

 

Protect Our Geese: Update - "How are the geese?"

 

The Official USDA 2011 New York City Goose Removal Report will soon be released, and it can be expected that 700-800 geese were rounded up in NYC this summer.

While we wait this critical information, I want to provide an update on where we stand now that the NYC round ups, at least unofficially, seem to be behind us.

In Brooklyn, we started out simply as a quiet group making the effort to stake out Prospect Park. 368 geese were rounded up on July 8, 2010 and if the round ups were to occur again in 2011 we wanted to be present (not asleep in our beds) were another massacre to take place. Our plan was to document the event for the world to witness. Word got out about our efforts, and many people joined us - we had 100 people on speed dial waiting for our alert to come to the park to join in protest. We were covered favorably by many press outlets, who requested to be added to the speed dial list. And in the end, the Prospect Park geese were spared from gassing or slaughter.

Many believe GooseWatch was the deciding factor in why the USDA decided to skip over Prospect Park. After all, they admittedly do not want lots of people "looking around and gathering". On the other hand, Prospect Park had hired a border collie company to scare the geese away so as to reduce their numbers prior to the DEC headcount. We may never know decisively whether or not GooseWatch was the determining factor. Yet, undoubtedly Prospect Park was spared because of the powerful and passionate community that spoke up and made ourselves known all year long - from the initial days and weeks following the round up when a vigil was organized, to Hands Around the Lake, and finally, including the citywide effort which GooseWatch became.

The Facebook page For the Love of the Geese in Prospect Park has helped keep everyone in touch, even in far away places like Washington State, Wisconson and Virginia, where USDA goose round ups are also taking place. The battle that reached our shores in Brooklyn, NY, was in fact, the tip of the iceberg, goose round ups are happening across the country. However, we can be a powerful force pushing back. Our goal is that the efforts begun in a small community in Brooklyn will spread across New York City and ultimately, the country.

Yet, as mentioned, all evidence so far points to approximately 800 geese rounded up and killed from NYC this summer, brutally, and with no legitimate justification. Suzanne Soehner witnessed the USDA on the scene in Inwood Hill Park. Residents in Staten Island mourn the roundup and deaths of more than 200 beloved geese from their park. Despite our efforts, not a single photograph exists to document the 2011 NYC Canada goose round ups.

With the help of Friends of Animals, we brought our message to Mayor Bloomberg. We showed our unity and strength, but much work lies ahead if we are going to put an end to the policy and contract that promotes this needless death.

So, if like me anyone has been asked the question, "How are the geese?", perhaps you also have a decidedly mixed response. Many thanks to everyone for their support and participation in GooseWatch 2011. It seems our battle may just be beginning, but you can be sure our numbers will grow. In the meantime, I urge you to visit Canada Geese near you as much as possible, keep an eye on their numbers and health, and let your neighbors and elected representatives know that you care about them and are against the round ups. (In case you have not yet signed, here are our groups' petitions: http://chn.ge/gZrjoE, http://bit.ly/qoorZN)

Stay tuned for another update once we are blessed with the official death count from the USDA report.

********

Here is a synopsis of GooseWatch and the past and current struggle for the Canada Geese in NYC, as articulated by Patty Adjamine:

Where We've Been (Or, Background)

On July 8, 2010, the people of the Prospect Park area woke up to find the lake in their public park almost entirely devoid of waterfowl.

When questioned, "What happened to all the geese?" park officials initially claimed the birds "flew to Jamaica Wildlife Refuge." But, park goers in the know realized that molting geese and their babies could not fly. They immediately notified the NY Times and following investigation, the NY Times broke the story which later went national:

In the wee hours of that July morning, 368 geese and their baby goslings were rounded up by the USDA, trucked to Kennedy Airport and gassed. Entire families wiped out with deadly fumes as most New Yorkers quietly went to work on a Thursday morning with no inkling of what was secretly happening behind closed doors.

Clandestine goose roundups and killings have been occurring around NYC for the past 8 years. But, they accelerated greatly following the "Miracle on the Hudson" landing of flight 1549 on Jan 15, 2009 after colliding with two migratory geese from Labrador, Canada.

Although a few media outlets, including CNN reported that the US Airways Airbus had sustained "engine stall" on a previous flight and almost had to emergency land, this part of the story was ignored by most of the major media. Passengers report scare on earlier US Airways Flight 1549 - CNN

Usually, when planes hit birds, they simply return to the airport. That this one landed in a river should have raised questions and investigation by the press. But, that did not occur. It was apparently more convenient to blame geese than obvious mechanical deficiencies.

The flight 1549 incident thus served as the perfect excuse to launch an all out "war" on resident Canada geese in New York City's parks, despite the fact the misfortunate geese the airliner collided with were migrating birds from another region altogether. In 2009, more than 1,200 geese from NYC parks were rounded up and gassed by the USDA. In 2010, that number escalated to more than 1,600.

In most cases, community members are not aware of the goose slaughters -- or, if they dare to question the sudden disappearance of the birds, are usually told the geese "just flew away." But, the people of Brooklyn's Prospect Park were not satisfied with brush offs and obfuscation. Instead, they organized through a Facebook page.

For the love of the geese in Prospect Park (92)

In the week after the Prospect Park goose gassings, a vigil was held for the geese organized by Mary Beth Purdy Artz and Chio Flores. More than 100 people attended the solemn event and it was covered by several members of the press, including NBC and the NY Times. Two more rallies would be held for the geese in ensuing weeks, organized by Friends of Animals and In Defense of Animals.

But, ultimately, it requires far more than rallies alone or even the formation of a Facebook page to stop a carnage that has been in motion for almost a decade. It requires focus, commitment, tenacity and the courage to forge ahead even in the face of great odds.

Our first task was to know our issue before pressuring officials, politicians and agencies. That meant gathering information and facts, not just from New York, but all over the country. The Facebook page became a site to post and share hundreds of articles, documents and other information. A core group of activists remained committed to bringing about change and doing what was necessary to insure that another goose culling would not occur this year at Prospect Park

In response to the criticism and pressure, earlier this year, Prospect Park formed a special Wildlife Committee to address and implement non-lethal management of the geese. But, even the formation of a program to "harass" geese and oil eggs was not enough to guarantee that a repeat culling of the geese would not occur this year.

In March of this year, another event was held at Prospect Park. "Hands Around the Lake" was organized to honor the geese at Prospect Park and to plead for their right to live. The event attracted more than 100 participants, including politicians and animal protection organization spokespersons. But, even that was not enough to insure that the Prospect Park geese would be spared from another USDA roundup.

Thus, in May of this year, "Goosewatch" was formed, organized by David Karopkin. The goal of Goosewatch was to insure that IF another USDA roundup occurred, it would not go unnoticed and unrecorded. Volunteers signed on and agreed to monitor the park in the wee hours of the morning. In the event USDA showed up again, they would be photographed and videotaped. The residents of the Prospect Park community would not be "sleeping through another USDA roundup and killing." The organization of Goosewatch was reported on by several media outlets, including mention in the NY Times and on NBC.

It is perhaps not surprising under the circumstances, that when USDA prepared its goose "hit list" for this year, Prospect Park was not on it. USDA claims that the "low" number of geese at Prospect Park this year did not merit a cull. However, (as of this point) we know that USDA did hit at least one other park with fewer geese than Prospect Park. (Inwood Park.)

We have to thus conclude that due to the combined efforts of the dedicated activists of the Prospect Park (and other) areas, a small, but very significant victory was achieved in saving the approximately 30 geese at Prospect Park this year.

But, our goal is to similarly save the geese in the other five boroughs of New York City. This was but the first step in a journey of a thousand miles.....

Where We Are (The Present) and Where We Need to Go (The Immediate Future)

Currently, we are trying to determine exactly what happened to the 800 or so geese rounded up this year from the NYC Metropolitan Area (including Long Island) and sent to a Harrisburg, Pennsylvania slaughterhouse.

In the spring of this year, the DEP and USDA announced that NYC geese would be "processed" in Pennsylvania and sent to the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank. But, we are having difficulty confirming what appeared to be a public relations ploy on the part of governmental agencies in response to criticisms last year of NYC geese ultimately being dumped in landfills. Goose meat donated to the food bank apparently doesn't carry a label of source or origin. Moreover, the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank claims the meat is toxicity tested by the USDA. But, the USDA claims it is the state that has the responsibility for testing the slain geese for possible toxins. If and when we are able to determine what slaughtering plant the geese were actually sent to and who specifically "tested" them (and for what) it is anticipated that we will know the final disposition of the geese. But, for the moment, this is still very murky and unclear. It is an investigation in progress.

The importance of learning what really happened to NYC geese rounded up and killed this year cannot be understated. This is critical not only insofar as animal cruelty issues, but also possible food contamination issues. Wild geese travel to many different locations, are exposed to various toxins, including mercury and lead and eat grass that in public parks, is routinely sprayed with pesticides. Many chemical residues and possible PCB's can remain in the tissues of wild geese who do not come from a controlled environment. Is such "meat" thus safe to feed to people without proper, full and individual testing?

According to reliable sources, proper testing of geese for possible contaminants can cost up to $100.00 per bird. That would seem to rule resident park geese out as a "cost effective" food source for people. Moreover, according to bird experts, molting geese are usually "feverish" and somewhat "sickly" when they are going through the process of losing feathers and being flightless (the time, in early summer when most USDA goose roundups occur). Hunters who shoot geese and claim to "eat" them do not kill geese in the summer when the birds are going through the molt. Rounded up geese have been rejected in many states across the country as possible food "donations" for poor people. Recently, these include Washington state, Virginia and Alabama. So, why are molting geese rounded up from NYC parks "safe" to feed to people in another state?

Perhaps they are only "safe" if proper testing procedures are being short circuited? That seems to have occurred recently with ground turkey meat. Less than two weeks ago, 36 million pounds of ground turkey had to be recalled due to suspected salmonella contamination. One person died from salmonella and dozens became sick around the country.

Nevertheless, we don't know the answers to these questions pertaining to the ground "goose meat" yet. But, as noted they are a priority for us to investigate and get to the bottom of. That is because next year, plans are in the works to slaughter the geese in NYC and "donate" them to food banks here.

Another priority for us to work on over the next 12 months, is obtaining and keeping accurate counts of geese throughout the NYC metropolitan area. The USDA claim of "20,000 - 25,000 geese" in the NYC metro area has been the same for the past 4 years despite "culls" of thousands of geese in that period. We therefore have to question and consider that number to be highly inflated and suspect. Either the culls are having NO effect on the current Canada goose population. Or, the quoted number is incorrect and moreover is being used to justify further goose slaughters. It is critical for us to recruit and establish reliable people from all over the city and Long Island to report to us and keep ongoing tabs on goose numbers. This is especially important in all those areas that have previously been targeted for goose roundups and culls. If we cannot find reliable people to accurately report and keep records of goose numbers, then we have to organize people willing to drive to areas of prior goose culls and keep track of current and prevailing numbers.

We have to be prepared early next year to challenge the USDA on its repeated goose numbers quotes. Should the USDA numbers be accurate (and we sincerely doubt they are) then that seems to point to evidence that the goose killings are totally ineffective in "reducing" goose population. We can then point to places like Central Park, that for years, has been utilizing non-lethal methods like habitat modification and Border Collie chasing to successfully manage and keep goose populations in check.

On the other hand, if the USDA goose numbers are inaccurate and goose numbers are much lower than what is being quoted, then that would eliminate the "need" for further cullings. (We suspect this to actually be the case, but at this point, cannot prove.) The need to gather and determine accurate goose numbers across the city, (like the unsuitability of slain park geese as "meat for the poor") cannot be understated.

These two priorities alone are enough to keep us very busy and focused over the next twelve months. However, that is not to negate the importance of constant pressure on our legislative representatives and political leaders for changes in our "Wildlife Management Services" particularly as they pertain to Canada goose roundups in our city.

We need to pressure our Congressional representatives to cut funding for the "Wildlife Services" department of the USDA. USDA does not work for free. Most of the funding for the goose slaughters in New York City comes from Congressional "appropriations" -- or, in other words, our tax dollars at a time the government is in default for reckless spending and mounting dept in the trillions of dollars.

It is time to say, "enough is enough." No more tax money for reckless and insidiously cruel, unnecessary goose slaughters in New York City and elsewhere.

 

 

                                                            *********

Troubling Numbers and New Mysteries

A numbers game.

 

That is what I have been thinking about over the past few days, as the numbers of Canada geese at Central Park appear to be dwindling at a time they normally surge -- particularly at Harlem Meer.

 

As previously written, Harlem Meer for the past several years has been a "staging point" for the geese.

 

Usually, in August (following the molt and/or raising young) large numbers of the geese arrive to the Meer, meet up with former flock or extended family members and stay until the time for fall migrations.

 

A couple of weeks ago, a new gaggle of geese arrived to the Meer and it seemed for the moment, that matters were once again on their normal course.

 

There were 15 geese at the Meer last week.

 

But, earlier this week, that number suddenly dwindled to 5 geese.

 

And then, Wednesday night, only 2 geese on the entire lake!

 

As geese are normally "creatures of habit," this sudden taking off from an otherwise gathering location seemed odd. 

 

Were the geese simply off on evening flying jaunts?

 

That too, is a bit unusual because geese don't normally fly a whole lot with the exceptions of the spring and fall migrations and occasional park hoppings.

 

Nevertheless, not to panic.

 

Last night, I waked with my dogs around the Reservoir, Turtle Pond and the entire Boat Lake.  Maybe the Harlem Meer geese had decided to visit these other areas?

 

But, the only geese seen last night at any of the locations was the family of four geese still at the Reservoir.

 

Even the ten geese (former Turtle Pond family and friends) at the Boat Lake through the summer molt are gone.

 

Now granted, I haven't been at every watercourse in Central Park.

 

And granted, it is possible that in the next few weeks a flood of new geese will suddenly descend on Harlem Meer or other areas in the park.

 

But, somehow I doubt that now.

 

The very low goose numbers on the main watercourses in Central Park right now are concerning to me.

 

It is not "normal" from what I remember or even recorded in this blog from last year.

 

One might guess that perhaps Central Park has already implemented its "Geese Relief" program to chase geese?   But, I doubt that, too.

 

With so few geese in the park that would seem a waste of resources at a time no agency can afford to throw money away.

 

Moreover, the ducks are still at Harlem Meer and they usually leave any time the geese are harassed.

 

I am suspecting that all the USDA goose cullings over the past 8 years have indeed had "effect" -- far more than the government agency is admitting to.

 

There are not many geese flying into Central Park now for the simple reason most NYC "resident geese" have been wiped out, particularly over the last three years.

 

That is a grim speculation and admittedly, it is still conjecture.

 

But, unless something radically changes over the next three weeks, it will be a grim reality.

 

One of the things that is absolutely necessary over the next 12 months is to be able to accurately assess current resident goose numbers all over the city and Long Island.

 

If goose numbers are really as low as they are appearing now in Central Park, that number is too low for the goose population to remain sustainable and viable.

 

A low gene pool will ultimately result in geese breeding with siblings or other blood relatives and producing deformed young.

 

Part of me wonders if that's what really happened to the goose family at the Reservoir?

 

Of the original five goslings, only two survived. The others seemingly "failed to thrive."

 

Apparently, the other goose family at the south pond in Central Park also suffered losses of at least two of their young.

 

And then something happened to the eggs that Mama and Papa goose from Turtle Pond attempted to hatch this spring.

 

(There were also gosling losses at Prospect Park this year. But, suspicion was that earlier oiling of the eggs rendered the "treated" hatchlings vulnerable to mishap.)

 

None of this is looking good right now.

 

Geese normally have high survival rates of their young -- partly because the parent geese are so protective of offspring and partly because geese have few natural predators in our city parks.

 

Are goose numbers so low now in NYC that what should be, a "variable gene pool" has negatively been impacted?

 

That is a question that for the moment is hanging in the air. 

 

But, it is one that will need to find answer in the coming months if future generations will be able to enjoy the beauty of geese peacefully gliding on a park pond or lake as we have been blessed with.   -- PCA 

 

 

                                                           *********

 

"A Lot of Turkeys"

A few days ago, while scouring YouTube, this enchanting and amusing video was found which demonstrates the devotion and patience of parent Canada geese -- in this case, encouraging their newly hatched goslings to hit the water.

 

Guaranteed to bring a smile:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRrbe6l2xWM&feature=autoshare

 

Unfortunately, what isn't quite so amusing these days is trying to determine exactly what happened with the hundreds of Canada geese and their goslings rounded up during June and July of this year and sent to a Pennsylvania slaughterhouse.

 

"Murky" is the better word to describe this experience.

 

The USDA is supposed to issue a report in a few weeks.

 

But, it is not clear that such report will contain information regarding the condition of the geese when they finally arrived to the Harrisburg slaughtering plant after many hours in the hot trucks without food and water. -- Or, even the name of the slaughtering plant.

 

Also, how many geese were actually "processed" and what kind of testing and in what manner any testing for toxicity was done on them? How many geese were actually made into "gooseburgers" and sent to Central Pennsylvania food bank?

 

I have been (and am still in process of) trying to get answers to these questions over past few days.

 

But, it has been a frustrating endeavor.

 

Monday afternoon I spoke with Lee Humberg of the USDA (again):

 

"Good afternoon, Mr. Humberg.  Do you remember a few weeks ago, we talked and I asked you about the final disposition of the geese rounded up from NYC in recent weeks?"

 

"Yes, I remember that conversation," Humberg replied politely.

 

"Well, I am still trying to find out where the geese were taken to, what kind of condition they were in when arriving to PA and what kind of testing was done on them?"

 

"My contact in Pennsylvania told me over the phone the geese were fine when they arrived," Humberg answered as if the geese were dropped off at a luxury spa.

 

"Really?" I questioned incredulously. "That sound like someone is telling you what you want to hear. Considering the geese are crammed 3 to 4 to turkey crates, spend hours in hot trucks without food and water while the USDA conducts multiple roundups in a day and then spend hours more being shipped to Pennsylvania, that seems to defy common sense.  Where were they taken to in Pennsylvania?  How long was the trip?"

 

"Central Pennsylvania, " Humberg answered.  "The trip is only a couple of hours."

 

"Philadelphia is a couple of hours from NYC and that is closer than Central Pennsylvania." I speculated.   How many geese were rounded up?  How many were still alive when arriving to PA?  How many were processed?"

 

"We are gathering all that information now.  It will be in our report which comes out in a few weeks," Humberg replied.

 

"Who tested the geese for toxins? What were the results?  Will that be in the report?"

 

"The state has responsibility for testing the geese.  The sample we got back was negative."

 

"A sample is not necessarily representative of the whole," I answered. "These are wild birds who are rounded up from different locations.  They routinely eat grass that has been treated with pesticides.  They can be filled with mercury and lead.  They are not from a controlled environment.  Shouldn't they be individually tested?"

 

"I can't speak to the testing protocols of another state," Humberg answered.

 

"Well, the Communications Director at the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank told me the USDA has the responsibility for testing the geese. It sounds like they are being misled."

 

"The gentleman is mistaken.  The state does the testing."

 

"Mr. Humberg, my understanding is that it can cost about $100.00 to properly test one goose for various toxins, PCB's, e-coli, mercury, lead and pesticide residues.  Who is paying for that, presuming it is even being done?  Wouldn't it be cheaper to feed the people chicken or doughnuts?"

 

"You might take some of these questions up with Carol Bannerman. She is in charge of public affairs and has much of this information."   Humberg then gave me Bannerman's number.

 

"Mr. Humberg, as you know, my main concern is the geese.  However, one has to seriously wonder about and question what exactly is being 'donated' to these food banks?   Presumably, the people don't have the greatest health insurance.  If they get sick from eating these possibly contaminated geese who is responsible?  You know about the 36 million pounds of ground turkey that was just recalled last week?  At least one person died from that."

 

"Yes, I know about the recalled turkey," Humberg replied.

 

"That's a lot of turkeys, isn't it?"

 

"Yes."

 

Switching to another topic, I asked Humberg about the quoted population of "20,000 to 25,000 geese in the NYC metropolitan area."

 

"Mr. Humberg, where does that figure come from?  That quote has been used for at least four years.  Have all these killings of thousands of geese in NYC had no effect on their population?"

 

"The number is a current estimated one.  The area is not just NYC, but it includes Long Island. The geese are very prolific.  The number would be much higher were we not managing the population."

 

"Then why isn't the goose population exploding in Central Park?  USDA has never rounded up geese in Central Park.  And yet, the goose population at Central Park has been stable over some years."

 

"They use other management methods at Central Park."

 

"Right.  And apparently the dogs and habitat modification work better than cullings." I countered. "Why aren't those methods being used elsewhere if they are apparently more effective?"

 

"Those methods can be expensive. Not every location can afford them."

 

"And rounding up and killing geese every year isn't expensive?" I asked.  "It seems like the geese compensate through overbreeding for the predation or other geese simply move in.  One has to question why we keep doing something repeatedly if it doesn't make a dent in the population.  That could be the definition of insanity."

 

"Once the population is brought down to a manageable level, then non-lethal methods can be employed to maintain," Humberg answered seemingly ignoring my question and theory.

 

Throughout the conversation, Humberg was polite but extremely guarded. He did not volunteer information and on a couple of occasions was so quiet, I had to ask if he was still there.  I could not be sure if he was actually listening or perhaps playing video games on the side.

 

I finally asked Humberg to send me the goose kill permit that USDA apparently signed with Fish and Wildlife Services of NYC.

 

"I can do that," Humberg volunteered.  But, then the battery on his phone seemed to die or he picked up another call.  The line went dead.

 

After speaking with this gentleman for more than a half hour, I felt little was either accomplished or learned.

 

But, certain things did come out of the conversation.

 

It seems that the "testing" procedures on the slain geese are indeed very "murky" and it appears that the USDA doesn't seem to know -- or want to know about them.  Basically, the USDA pushes all of that responsibility on the "state."

 

Meanwhile, the food bank supposedly receiving the goose "donations" thinks its the USDA that has full responsibility for testing the geese.

 

It appears the left hand doesn't know -- or care what the right one is doing.

 

"A lot of turkeys," indeed.   -- PCA

 

 

                                                          ___________

 

Come September

The geese are once again, flying around Central Park.

 

Friday night, while walking through Harlem Meer en route to Lasker Pool, a flock of geese flew in perfect "V" formation over the park.

 

At the time, I didn't see any on the actual lake.  But, it was thrilling to see them in the sky once again and hear their familiar honk.

 

An hour later, when leaving the pool, there was the then, familiar 15 geese swimming peacefully on the lake.   Close to the geese were numerous lively and noisy mallards.

 

As noted previously, it seems when the new gaggle of geese arrived a couple of weeks ago, they brought a whole bunch of very animated mallards with them.

 

Now that they are able to fly again, all the geese appear to be far more relaxed, confident and social.  Or, perhaps that is because the "scardy eight" who stayed at the Mere during the molt, have since been joined by the generally more outgoing gaggle who I presume are returnees to Harlem Meer. 

 

The new geese seem to know the ropes well and are quite comfortable in their surroundings.  That confidence seems to be infectious to both the other group of shy geese and all of the mallards. 

 

Looking back over this journal, the numbers of geese at Harlem Meer presently are about the same as they were this time last year.  

 

For the moment, that is good news. 

 

But, over the next few weeks, many more should arrive.

 

By the first week in September, there should be close to 100 geese at Harlem Meer, as it is a "staging" point for the geese. (Location where many families and gaggles of geese gather prior to fall migrations.  They stay for a few weeks and then gradually leave in groups to fly to wintering areas.)

 

Keeping accurate records of goose numbers in various locations around the city is, I believe very critical right now -- especially if they can be compared to numbers from recent past. 

 

We need to determine what kind of effect all the goose roundups and killings over the past few years has had on the goose population in New York City.

 

Unfortunately, I was not keeping actual counts in the years previous to last year, but I do remember large groups of geese being at Harlem Meer twice a year:  Early spring (following spring migrations) and late summer (prior to fall migrations).

 

We shall see if that holds true over the next month. 

 

I am greatly hoping that it does.

 

Last night I returned to the Reservoir to check on the few geese there.

 

The family of geese still remain, although sadly, over the past couple of weeks, they apparently lost one of their goslings.

 

I had been concerned for some time that one of the goslings was smaller and seemingly weaker than the other two.  He did not appear to have a specific injury or illness.  There was rather, a failure to thrive.

 

Of the original four (or possibly even five) goslings, the parents are now down to the surviving two, though at least those two appear to be healthy, strong and thriving. 

 

But, it is always sad when baby ducklings or goslings don't ultimately survive.  It is not clear why this goose family lost at least half of its original clutch.

 

There aren't predators in the Reservoir and it is a very "safe" location in terms of lacking human or dog activity.  The only possible drawback of geese raising young on the Reservoir, is its lack of the short grass that geese so love to eat and graze on.  Rather, the Reservoir is surrounded by rocky inclines with tall shrubs and growing trees.

 

I have noticed that the Reservoir geese are always much hungrier than the geese in the other areas of the park.  It could be that the Reservoir habitat simply lacks the nutritional sustenance that growing goslings require.

 

Nevertheless, two of the goslings have survived and I believe at this point, are out of the woods in terms of possible threats to their health or well-being.  In another couple of weeks they should be flying.

 

It appears that the other geese who were hanging with this family through the molt (and who I suspected were the parent's past goslings) have already left the Reservoir for presumably greener pastures.  They could in fact be among the new geese at Harlem Meer.

 

Meanwhile, the goslings grow fast and quickly learn the ropes. 

 

A few nights ago, when tossing some treats to the goose family, the gander suddenly became alarmed, honked and started hissing.

 

I thought it strange because by this time, the geese were well used to my dogs.

 

But, then I noticed a raccoon running along the incline trying to grab a treat.

 

All four geese suddenly gathered together and stood upright next to each other in a straight line.

 

I guessed this to be an attempt to appear more formidable to a potential enemy.

 

Sure enough, the raccoon turned tail and quickly left.

 

Its amazing that the young goslings who are less than three months old already "know" what is necessary to scare off a potential threat. (How do the parents teach them that?)

 

There were no raccoons last night.  Rather, the family of geese peacefully shared their treats with a group of "panhandler" mallards hanging with them.

 

What would the mallards ever do without the geese?

 

From the Reservoir, I sauntered with my dogs, to the boat lake.

 

But, I could not find the family of geese originally from Turtle Pond.

 

They were not sitting on their familiar rock.

 

But, I was not greatly surprised.

 

As noted, the geese are moving around much more this time of year -- even flying now.

 

Moreover, there was music coming from the area around Bethesda Fountain and the Band Shell.

 

Knowing how these particular geese like music and culture, its quite possible they swam to the south part of the lake to be closer to the festivities.

 

By this time, the rain that had been lightly falling throughout our walk, began to come down heavier.  

 

As much as I love the park when its raining, I didn't want to get caught in a downpour.

 

Tina, Chance and I started to make our way back.

 

Returning home by way of the Reservoir, I noted "loner" goose on the water once again.

 

"Loner" is the goose that stayed with the Turtle Pond goose family through the molt, but over the past few weeks, has been bouncing back and forth between them (at the boat lake) and the Reservoir.

 

He was with Papa, Mama and the others earlier in the week, but last night was back at the Reservoir again.

 

S/he is apparently still searching for a lost mate or family.

 

I tossed Loner the last of the remaining treats I had.  Two mallards quickly hustled over to steal a few.

 

I thought, "Well, at least she or he has a couple of duck friends to keep company with."

 

So many changes this time of year.

 

But, the greatest to come should be over the next few weeks.

 

Hoping to see those dozens of new geese at Harlem Meer come the first week in September.  -- PCA

 

 

                                                            *******

Honeymoon Lake No "Honeymoon" for the Geese

I don't normally post all the revolting articles about goose kills and massacres on this blog.

 

However, every now and then a goose slaughter comes along that is so vile, so outrageous, and so utterly irrational and insane that it deserves special recognition:

 

http://www.whidbeyexaminer.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=6396

 

"Honeymoon Lake" in the state of Washington.

 

The name conjures up warm and cozy images of what might be a kind of paradise for devoted couples in love and newly married.

 

But, for three pairs of devoted and mated Canada geese and their goslings, "Honeymoon Lake" became instead, something more akin to the, "St. Valentine's Day Massacre."

 

On June 22 of this year, all 19 geese and their babies were rounded up and gassed by the USDA,  "Wildlife (Extermination) Services."   USDA was paid $860.00 for the massacre by the Honeymoon Lake Community Club:

 

But, members of the community are clearly distraught about the killings that took place on "Honeymoon Lake," even citing that area children had named the goslings.

 

Apparently, it was three members (part time residents) on the Community Board who ordered the slaughter without consensus of the residents.

 

On the contrary, residents had been promised that a future board meeting would occur to discuss non-lethal management of the geese.

 

Instead, the geese's fates were sealed in a back door deal and contract signing with the USDA Wildlife (Extermination) Services.

 

Its almost like we are talking of mafia hits.

 

Indeed, $860.00 to round up and gas 19 defenseless geese and goslings who could not fly, seems like a lucrative and easy "mafia hit" -- even as our nation is trillions in dept and just suffered a degrading of our credit rating.

 

It seems the only people really "making money" these days are the wildlife hit men working for USDA. -- Tax money, in fact.

 

But, it wasn't just "honeymoon" couples they went after on Honeymoon Lake.

 

It was three entire families.

 

Even the young of the slain are not spared in our wildlife extermination, mafia-style hits. --PCA

 

 

                                                                *********