Currently there are 15 geese at Prospect Park in Brooklyn, where two years ago, 368 geese and goslings were rounded up and gassed by USDA Wildlife Services:
While one would like to think that 15 geese would be immune to another potential roundup, that cannot be assumed.
USDA has rounded up as few as 7 geese from some locations in the past and frequently rounds up less than 15. Nothing can be assumed or taken for granted.
In the latest EIS and other documents, USDA claims an estimated "20,000 -25,000" geese in the NYC metropolitan area.
However, when asked for proof of that claim, questioners are referred to the DEC.
And yet, though the same figure has been bandied about for a number of years and thousands of geese have since been rounded up and killed, government agencies still cite an "optimum take" of "4,000 geese a year" until presumably the population is "reduced" to a desired "5,000" geese in the NYC metro area.
But, the reality is that USDA has never rounded up more than 1,600 geese in a single year and last year they "only" rounded up 575 in the city -- though the projected number was between 700 and 800.
These realities would suggest the number quote of "20,000 -25,000 geese" in NYC to be highly inflated and exaggerated.
If true that the exaggerated number is not at all representative of current realities then the existent Canada geese in New York City are in absolute peril -- even the 15 geese currently taking refuge in Prospect Park.
As noted previously, there were no geese in NYC in 1970 (to reference USDA spokesperson, Carol Bannerman's quote in the Queens Ledger). In fact, in those days, government agencies were attempting to restore Canada goose populations because their numbers were so low and they are desired as a hunting "game" species. .
But, apparently the geese had other ideas. It seems they didn't much appreciate serving as "targets" for hunters in rural areas and much of their natural wetlands was being destroyed.
So, where could the geese go?
Being highly intelligent, safety-conscious and adaptable, many of the geese discovered they could find both "safety" and desirable habitat for raising young by taking up residence in city parks and other urban areas.
But, now the geese are persecuted and killed from these areas too.
I remember Central Park in 1970.
There were no geese and I can't quite frankly recall ducks either.
The only "wildlife" then seemed mostly to be the kind on two feet -- muggers, robbers and rapists.
Central Park was a dangerous area and only the bravest or most foolhardy dared to venture the area once the sun went down.
But, apparently our governmental agencies and especially the USDA would like to take us back to these, shall we say, "fun and adventurous" times?
Central Park became most interesting to me, when in the 1990's the geese and ducks began to show up and most of the muggers finally disappeared.
The ducks and geese brought "life," whimsy and hope to Central Park. Little pieces of wildlife and nature in a concrete and steel city that was otherwise devoid of these natural wonders.
But, now even these little touches of nature and wildlife are under assault in a city seemingly intolerant of anything that can't text on a cell phone or fill our skies with roaring engines and glistening steel.
One wonders if after the geese have been systematically destroyed and wiped out in New York City, if the two legged "wild life" will again return to our city parks?
Nature after all, abhors a vacuum.
Ah, the good old days of 1970 in New York City according to the USDA!
Perhaps "Out of Towner" Carol Bannerman will volunteer to walk through city parks at night when the geese are gone?
She'd better not bring money or credit cards with her though and it would be best to leave the jewelry at home.
Jack Lemon after all, is no longer around to protect her or get her in a movie. -- PCA
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