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Returning from an entirely frozen Harlem Meer this morning, (where even the few mallards struggling to maintain a tiny pool of open water, were forced to give up and abandon ship) I was taken aback to note a "Geese Police" van heading quickly in the direction of the Meer.
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What the hell?
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There were no birds at all to "harass" at Harlem Meer.
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Sight of the goose hazing company this time of year made my blood boil on an otherwise freezing day in which most of Central Park is covered in snow and ice.
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It made me think of the lies told in recent years by officials of Central Park Conservancy and other governmental entities (such as USDA Wildlife Services).
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The particular lie reflected upon today (from the Conservancy) was, "We harass resident Canada geese in the fall in order to make room for migratory geese."
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With the exception of three Canada geese (One pair and a loner hanging with them) at the Boat Lake, virtually ALL of the geese observed in Central Park these days are migratory birds. (I am speaking mainly of migratory geese from the Arctic, Canada or upstate New York who fortunately fly into the Jackie Onassis Reservoir, the one watercourse in Central Park they are not harassed due to control by the city. -- Or, at least this is what I was told by Geese Police.)
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Even though migratory Canada geese are a supposedly "protected species" under the federal, Migratory Bird Act Treaty, they are afforded no more respect nor peace in all of the Central Park lakes and ponds (under Central Park Conservancy control) than so-called, "resident" geese of which Central Park has very few these days. -- Three to be exact.
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It is akin to blowing migratory geese out of the skies (as posted in recent hunting articles), while at the same time decrying the drop in their numbers and even blaming that on "resident geese nesting in the sub-arctic and displacing migratorys." (Another lie, this time by USDA WS.)
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It is one thing to hold a position on an issue and intellectually argue that stance. It is quite another to just make up lies or spout company memos in order to justify a position on animal cruelty and deliberately mislead the public.
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Matters have degenerated to the point that I barely believe anything told by so-called, "wildlife officials" anymore.
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Least of all, those who wander around city parks admonishing anyone daring to toss a few crumbs to a hungry bird on a freezing day.
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Last week, when Caroline and I were trying to acclimate the four domestics ducks to her by feeding, an employee of NYC Parks and Recreation came to us to admonish the action.
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"You're not supposed to feed wildlife in the park!" the young woman said sternly, while pulling out her identification.
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"These ducks are not wildlife. They are domestic and flightless," I countered. "We are trying to prepare them for rescue. In a few weeks, this lake will freeze over and these ducks will be doomed."
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"They're hybrids..." the young woman started to answer, but I quickly interrupted and corrected. "Open your eyes. They cannot fly!" The conversation was becoming heated when Caroline intervened and attempted to reason with the young upstart mostly by name-dropping. "Attorney, Wild Bird Fund, Park Rangers," etc.etc.
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"Well, I will have to talk to my supervisor."
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Whatever....
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As said to Caroline later (somewhat apologetically), I no longer have patience with petty bureaucrats either mumbling party lines and/or deliberately lying. -- Especially when they dish out repeated, tired lines like "hybrids" to refer to barnyard, flightless ducks.
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Thankfully, we were able to rescue the four domestic ducks a few days later -- but not without having to jump through hoops first and beg permission. (But, why does one have to beg permission at all to simply do the right thing?)
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Its a good thing the fab four are out of Harlem Meer as they would likely be very dead ducks today on a completely frozen and barren lake.
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Especially since Central Park Conservancy insists on harassing every Canada goose out who would normally help to keep some open water at the Meer and other park watercourses (thereby benefiting ducks and other waterfowl.)
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Contrary to the claims, it doesn't matter whether the geese be resident or migratory.
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One suspects park officials and representatives cannot tell the difference in geese anymore than they can apparently tell the difference between a "hybrid" duck and an Easter chic who simply committed the unpardonable sin of growing up and becoming "unwanted." -- PCA
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