October (Resident) Goose Migrations and Old Pals

(Photo:  Old pal, "Whiteface" from the Central Park Reservoir this past summer)

Reunions with old friends are a particularly nice occurrence in life.

Last night I had opportunity to see again, my old goose pals who had molted at the Central Park Reservoir this past summer.

How do I know the flock of 8 geese were the same who spent the summer molt at the Jackie Onassis Reservoir? 

Because Whiteface was among them.

"Whiteface" is a Canada goose who like his name implies, has a boldly striking, white face.

In fact I am not sure if Whiteface is a full Canada goose, a hybrid or possibly even another species of goose. 

Whiteface has a distinctly lower pitch and louder "honk" than the typical Canada goose and slightly different and flatter coloring.

Moreover, Whiteface's place and seemingly "lower status" in the gaggle appears to be more of an outsider than an actual family member.  Part of me wonders if Whiteface was a "loner" or lost goose who simply attached to and was accepted by this Canada goose family?

Anything is possible.

I encountered Whiteface and his flock of 7 geese at Harlem Meer last night.

It was a very welcomed surprise as geese have not been consistently present or plentiful at Harlem Meer since last winter.

No geese molted at the Meer over the summer and since then only a few have been spotted at different times, no gaggles staying more than a couple of days.

I don't know that Whiteface and company will stay more than a day or two like the others. 

But, since the Fishing Rules signs recently went up at the Meer as well as enforcement of the rules, the lake is a much more hospitable and peaceful place for waterfowl and other wildlife.

(As previously noted, it is almost as if geese can actually read signs. -- It obviously didn't take long for the Reservoir geese to figure out that Harlem Meer was a cool place to drop by these days and possibly stay a while.)

When arriving to the Meer last night, the geese were relaxing on the water alongside the mallards.

But, like the new geese at the Boat Lake, Whiteface's gaggle appeared to either recognize me or to be at least, mildly curious.

Slowly, they approached and came upon the embankment, Whiteface being the last one to cautiously embark.

Most of the gaggle stood around curiously sizing up the situation.

Whiteface was decidedly more high strung and nervous than the others. -- At one point, letting out a loud honk and flying back to the water.

The other geese followed his lead and joined Whiteface in the lake.

But, then a couple of minutes later they all boldly returned to the embankment.

It was a funny and curious situation that reminded me of the night before.

Only this time I knew who the geese actually were and they were not too sure about me.

"She looks vaguely familiar, but we can't exactly place her."

Granted, I never got to "know" the Reservoir geese very well over the summer as due to the landscaping, they were forced to remain in the water throughout the molt and we could never see each other up close and personal.

As soon as the gaggle grew in their flight feathers, they left the Reservoir in late July and I had not seen the family group since.

All of this brings up the question of where resident Central Park geese actually go when they complete the molt?

Starting in mid July, all the Central Park resident geese eventually left -- including Mama and Papa from the Boat Lake -- and I have no idea where they spent the months from August through part of October.

But, wherever it was, the eating must have been real good.

Like the 8 geese seen at the Boat Lake on Sunday, the Reservoir geese appeared plump, lively, slick and ready to face a potentially brutal winter.

Not at all similar to the way I remembered them at the Reservoir when going through the molt.

At that time they (and all the other molting geese) appeared raggedy, lethargic and ill.

It certainly gives one pause for thought to consider that it is molting geese who are rounded up by USDA in the summertime, slaughtered and "donated to food banks."  

The geese are actually feverish during that period of time.

Mama goose at the Boat Lake was so sickly that her wings literally dragged along the ground and appeared to be broken.

Six weeks later, Mama was healthy again and flying with her mate and flock.

The geese are almost unrecognizable this time of year compared to their sickly and weak images of the summer molt.

It is no small irony that government officials consider sickly molting geese healthy bounty for downtrodden humans.   Even hunters don't eat molting geese.

Nevertheless, ironies and mysteries (of where geese go when completing the summer molt) aside, it was simply sweet and wonderful to reunite with old pals again.

I said to Whiteface and his 7 flock mates, "Hey, its wonderful to see you guys again! You are looking GREAT!"

But, they were too busy trying to figure out who I actually was to reply back -- as I had been the night before with the new Boat Lake geese. 

The October migrations are in full swing now -- even for our "resident" NYC geese.

Lianna and I now eagerly await the anticipated return of Mama and Papa and their gaggle.

Any day now, God willing.   -- PCA

                                                          


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The Return and the Glory of the Geese!

 

(Photos:  Recently arrived family of 8 geese at the Boat Lake last night.  Oh joy!)

I am convinced Canada geese can read!

No sooner were Fishing Rules signs posted in Central Park and a seeming wildlife welcome mat put out, then some our feathered friends returned!

"OK, guys. The going is good in Central Park now. Pack up your wings and let's go!"

Yep, one can easily imagine the cacophony of honks that took place just prior to the geese taking off for the safety and luxuries of Central Park.  I have no doubt Canada geese are capable of reading signs, newspaper columns and USDA "Goose Reports."

I received the news that 8 Canada geese had returned to the Boat Lake the other day from Lianna, a fellow wildlife lover and friend.   Lianna surmised the 8 geese to be Buster, Bonnie and their six goslings who hatched at the Boat Lake this past spring.

But, I had to check out the happy event myself.

Like someone who had been roaming a desert for six weeks seeking water, I rushed to the Boat Lake yesterday seeking once again, the glory of the geese.

If the above sounds overly dramatic, that is not the intent, but rather the simple truth.

Central Park without geese is like a concert hall without a orchestra or a party without people.

The decorations and trimmings are there, but the music and vibrancy are missing.

Lord knows I love ducks and other wildlife. But, there is something so very magical and unique about the geese.   I believe it is mostly their willingness to openly engage, trust and welcome people into their lives.

That in fact seems to be the thing that both endears geese to many people (like myself) or alienates them to those who for whatever reason, are fearful or even hostile towards the other creatures with whom we share this planet.

Yesterday was truly beautiful in Central Park -- in more ways than one. 

Temperatures had fallen to give just a hint of winter and a light rain danced in and out of the overcast day.

I did not immediately find the geese when arriving to the Boat Lake. If the family was indeed Buster, Bonnie and their clan, they were not in the usual place to the north side of the lake.

And so I walked towards Bow Bridge where I soon spotted a gaggle of 8 geese swimming lazily on the lake.

How beautiful they looked.  It was like discovering water in the desert!

Rushing to a winding path alongside the lake, I soon caught up to where the geese were swimming.

I cannot be sure if they recognized me or were just human friendly, but they immediately began to swim towards me as I walked to the edge of the lake.

Two young women sitting on a nearby bench remarked,  "Oh, look at the pretty ducks!"

"Oh, they are not ducks." I laughed.  "They're Canada geese."

"Oh yes, geese!  Look at that.  They are so friendly. They're coming right up to you!  Do they know you?"

"I am actually not sure about that.  I am thinking that they are the family of geese whose six babies hatched here over this past spring.  But, since geese look alike, it is hard to tell. Apparently these geese just arrived in the past couple of days."

The young women and I continued to talk as the family of 8 geese made their way on to a rock and took some treats from my hand as if they indeed "knew me." 

But, they seemed too peaceful, gentle and low key to be Buster and his demanding and self-entitled gang. I also got the "feeling" that the parent geese were younger than Buster and Bonnie because they appeared slightly lighter in color.  But it was hard to know for sure.

I took out my camera and began to take photos.

"Wow, its like they pose for pictures for you!" one of the young women exclaimed.

"Yep, that is one of the great things about Canada geese. You don't need a fancy camera or binoculars.  They are hams for a camera!"

"Do you mind us taking photos of you with the geese?" the women asked.

"Not at all.  Just don't put it on the cover of Vogue!" I laughed.

It was a very pleasant conversation with the two young women, one of whom was visiting from Columbia.   It was obvious that both of them had appreciation for nature and loved watching and taking photos of the geese.  It was every bit as pleasurable an experience for them with the geese as it was for me.

The sun had gone down and the two women turned to leave as we exchanged parting pleasantries.

I stayed for a few more minutes trying to figure out if the newcomer geese were actually Buster and crew returned or some other geese.

They were too friendly and human trusting to be migratory geese.  But, they just didn't seem to have the bravado and cockiness that I associate with Buster and his rowdy bunch.

Whoever this particular goose family, they looked remarkably fit and healthy and not at all like they had just traveled long and trying distance. It was apparent they were resident NYC geese, but I could not be sure from where exactly.

It's a little daunting that the goose family definitely seemed to "know" me, but I could not figure who they were.

Maybe geese are just smarter than some of us humans and have better memories?

Though I could not be certain of much last night (including the goose family's true identity), of one thing I am sure:

Canada geese know how to read signs.

And both this family of 8 geese at the Boat Lake and a newly arrived family of 5 geese at Turtle Pond read the posted "wildlife welcome mat" put out in Central Park this past week! -- PCA 

                                                             


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Welcomed Signs for the Wildlife of Central Park

(Photos: 1- New Fishing Rules signs at Harlem Meer in Central Park.  2--  Dead fish on rock at the Boat Lake this past summer. When informed that it was "catch and release" fishing only at Central Park, the fishermen threw the dead fish back into water. 3-- A now very happy "Wiggly" at Harlem Meer.)  

It appears the days of "anything goes" insofar as unrestrained, injurious  and unmonitored fishing in Central Park are over.

Not only have new signs been erected at Harlem Meer (and hopefully elsewhere in the park), but police patrols have been vigilant in terms of enforcement and even checking bags of fisherman.  (Hats off to New York City's finest!)

According to my friend, Lianna who regularly monitors the Boat Lake, a policeman  informed a fisherman yesterday that fishing was no longer permitted at the Boat Lake because of the danger to Snapping Turtles who are a "federally protected species."

Apparently a Snapping Turtle was recently ensnared by fishing line at the Boat Lake.

Although I normally don't visit the Boat Lake as often as Harlem Meer, this past summer, I witnessed  and reported numerous fishing abuses there, including the keeping of fish,  fishing line around a tree branch, illegal trespassing, use of barbed hooks and returning dead fish back to water

I don't know for certain that fishing has been disallowed at the Boat Lake, but if true, it is a very positive development.

It has taken a long time to get the changes necessary for the protection of wildlife in New York City's premier park.    But, it appears now that the rules are clearly in place and will finally be enforced.

Hopefully, we who value and appreciate the wildlife in our beloved park will no longer have to bear witness to birds or turtles ensnared in fishing line or dying as result of lead poisoning or ingestion of fishing tackle.

These are peaceful days for the wildlife of Central Park -- that only Brad and Danny were still around to enjoy them.  -- PCA

                                                          

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Delivery -- Both Good and Bad for Wildlife

At Long Last, the Signs!

Fantastic news regarding fishing abuses at Central Park.  It is strongly hoped that this may spread to all other city parks where recreational fishing is allowed.

Since making numerous complaint calls regarding fishing abuses following Brad's (the domestic Rouen duck who had survived for years at Harlem Meer) untimely death, I have not seen any night fisherman at the Meer and have noted more park patrols.

However, the biggest indicator that CP is now taking fishing abuses seriously are recently erected signs at Harlem Meer. 

I was shocked last night to discover new "Fishing Rules" signs posted around the Meer (something that had been needed for years).

Not only do the signs post rules, but they also spell out why the rules are necessary (primarily, dangers to fish and other wildlife).

The signs clearly state that it is "catch and release" fishing only.  That no barbed hooks are allowed nor "lead weights" on fishing lines.  That fishing lines have to be properly discarded in the provided receptacles. 

The signs further state,  "Any violations of rules will result in summonses."

Words cannot express the joy in seeing these new and very explicit signs. They seem to cover all the abuses.    (I will be taking photos of the signs tonight. I had forgotten my camera last night.)

While it would be ego pleasing to think my calls resulted in the signs, I have to suspect that either someone of greater influence than I brought pressure to bear on CP, Dept of Parks and Recreation, DEC and DEP -- or that an autopsy was conducted on Brad and it was discovered he died due to fishing-related injury or lead poisoning.

It is sad to think my very favorite duck had to die to get "something done," but it seems that it is always the way unfortunately (i.e. something bad has to happen).    I just wish the signs had been in place earlier as they had been requested.  There is little doubt Brad would still be alive today.

Still, "better late than never."   Hopefully the signs will prevent similar injury or poisoning to other waterfowl.  The abusers cannot claim ignorance of fishing rules anymore.

For those fishing-allowing parks and recreational areas without proper and similar signs, it is strongly suggested that environmentalists and wildlife lovers push for them.  

Central Park now stands as a kind of role model for finally doing what is right.

                       ---------------

"Sales" and Delivery

While positive development and welcomed news to finally see fishing rules posted in Central Park, one is still at loss to see any Canada geese in New York City's most prestigious park.

That is not due however to any neglectful or nefarious actions on the part of Central Park leadership.

Rather, a goose-empty Central Park (at a time there would normally be many geese) is almost entirely due to our ruthless and morally bankrupt politicians, as well as USDA "Wildlife (extermination) Services."

Primary among these culprits is New York Senator, Kirsten Gillibrand (D) who is now running for re-election and airing political commercials on TV.

Gillibrand's smiling face and proclamations about "transparency" in government literally make my skin crawl.

Nowhere in her commercials, email blasts or Facebook page does Gillibrand mention her personal and irrational crusade to wipe out New York City's resident Canada geese as she did in this press release from a few months ago:

Kirsten Gillibrand - United States Senator for New York: News

Aside from wondering how much money had to borrowed from China or swindled from taxpayers to finance these senseless, wasteful  and brutal goose massacres, one has to associate the sight of parks without any geese with Gillibrand specifically and the Democratic party in general which has primarily held power both in New York and nationally over the past 4 years.

Yesterday, President Obama was on the campaign trail bitterly accusing his opponent of "lying" during a debate that Obama lost the night before.  "You don't want to buy what this guy (Romney) is selling!" proclaimed our lofty President who only 4 years ago ran on the platform of "Hope, Change and "Yes, we can!"

Well, there were "changes" over these past 4 years for sure.  But, who would have ever thought that the changes and "Yes, we cans!" referred to exterminating thousands of Canada geese in New York City and elsewhere?

It is up to the voters to decide whose "lies" being sold will be bought on Election Day.

I only know that I do not like and nor will "buy" what Obama and the Democrats have delivered over the past four years -- Wildlife carnage and government dependency.

Our city parks (and most Amercians) function just fine without the "help" of the federal government (in the form of USDA goose killers) and interference of cheap, ambitious Senators like Gillibrand.

I fear that if these same politicians win office again, we will soon have to confront a new and even deadlier federal  "War on ducks."  

Extremism, propaganda, cruelty and irrationality apparently know no limits. -- PCA

                                                         

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Dogs Like Humans and Humans Like Dogs (and Ducks)

(Photo:  Tina, [front] Chance and me.)

Just when you think you "know it all," you discover that you don't.

I think I learned some new and interesting things about dogs yesterday. 

Although I don't write about them often in this blog, I have two dogs.

Both of my dogs are long haired and have short legs.  Tina is a Corgi/Spitz mix (I think) and Chance (AKA "Puppy Boy") is an 18 lb Pomeranian who, because of his "super size" is sometimes mistaken by people as a small Chow Chow.  

Both of my dogs are "senior citizens" (like me). Tina is almost 17-years old and Chance is about 14 years which is pretty high up there in dog years.

Particularly with "Puppy Boy," his dense, long hair can sometimes be a problem -- especially when walking in the park when the ground is wet and muddy. The fur on the fluffy Pomeranian's belly tends to get dirty and matted.

Although I brush Puppy regularly, I apparently missed a mat in a "sensitive" spot.

Usually if finding any mats, I either brush them out or cut with scissors.

Last week, I discovered a severe mat around Puppy Boy's penis.

Puppy Boy would not allow me to cut it.

Apparently, a woman coming with scissors to the "family jewels" is not a welcomed sight even for a dog.

Puppy Boy greeted my feeble attempt to trim with growls, snarls and actual bite attempts.

And so it was off to the vet yesterday.

My vet and I determined that the area had to be shaved.  But, since Puppy was in such an "agitated" state, he would have to be sedated and knocked out for the "delicate" procedure.

That meant I had to wait in the vet's office for almost three hours until Puppy Boy came out of the anesthesia.

That actually turned out to be a pleasant experience as I met a number of former adopters and people I had known in more than 20 years of animal rescue work.  The time actually flew by as it was like an evening at Cheers (where "everybody knows your name").

But, here comes the kicker:

Puppy Boy was finally ready and I walked him home.

Normally when I come home, Tina (my other dog) greets me at the door as if I have been gone for days.  (That is true even if I have only been gone five minutes.)

However, yesterday, Tina completely ignored me and wildly greeted Puppy Boy like he was her long lost mother!   (What am I? I wondered.  A hand with a food bowl at the end?)

Well, its easy to see where Tina's priorities are!  

Forget the human, its only the boyfriend that counts!

Needless to say, my ego has been crushed.

But, I learned something about dogs yesterday -- even the two I thought I knew like the back of my hand.

When a pair, dogs' bond to each other is probably stronger than their bond to their human "owners."

I hesitate to think what it would be like for either of my dogs, were I to lose the cherished other.   (Perhaps dogs aren't so different from humans?) 

Fortunately for me, both Tina and Chance (i.e. "Puppy Boy") are healthy dogs despite their "old" ages and the occasional medical challenges of overgrown dew claws and a mat near the pecker.

I have to hope it stays that way for a long, long time. --  One reason for those daily two mile hikes to Central Park. 

Speaking of which........I have not seen even one fisherman at night in Harlem Meer since making those numerous complaint calls two weeks ago.

I have however, seen more police patrols.

Last night a cop was even checking the grass near the lake embankments with a flashlight.

Of course this might all be (and probably is) attributable to something else. Perhaps there was some recent theft or other crime I don't know about at Central or other city parks.

But, I would like to think the calls had something to do with the new surveillance and vigilance. 

I just wish now I had made those calls before the death of Brad, the beloved domestic Rouen duck who had survived for years at Harlem Meer......I truly believe Brad would still be alive today.

Nevertheless, it is a far better situation now for the ducks and other wildlife at the Meer than it was before.

The ducks are a pretty happy, care-free lot these past couple of weeks as the weather is beautiful, there is still plenty of food around and very little in the way of actual danger and threat.

I guess sometimes we have to "bitch" to actually get some good done.

As dogs are like humans, humans sometimes have to be like dogs.  And both are a little like ducks.  -- PCA 

                                                      


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Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow ("Heck of a jobs," guns and hard rains)

(Photos:  Geese at Harlem Meer between September and October, 2010.  Today, there are no geese,  either at the Meer or Central Park in general.) 

"Bloomie, you're doing a heck of a job!"   (Yesterday)

"Yesterday," as the Beatles sang.....

Since Central Park has recently become a downer due to the untimely and unnatural death of my favorite duck (Brad) and the absence of any geese, I have been brousing through old memory cards in recollection of "what used to be."

Two years ago at this time, there were gaggles of many geese at Harlem Meer in Central Park.  The photos posted above were taken between September 11 and October 3 of 2010.

Exactly two years later, there are zero geese in the same location -- and indeed in all of Central Park.

This bizarre series of events reminds me of New Orleans post hurricane Katrina in 2007.

Then-President Bush traveled to the devastated area a couple of days later and praising the FEMA director for the "outstanding job" that was being done remarked, "Brownie, you're doing a heck of a job!"

Of course the joke then was that FEMA was not doing a "heck of a job" at all, but in fact, failing to provide relief and proper shelter for the thousands of people left stranded and homeless in New Orleans in the wake of floods and destruction.

Well, I look around a goose-empty park right now and think to myself, "Bloomie, you're doing a heck of a job!" 

And of course, USDA "Wildlife Services,"  The Department of Environmental Protection, the Department of Environmental Conservation and less we forget, our "outstanding" New York Senator, Kirsten Gillibrand.

They have all done a "heck of a job" (without aid of a hurricane) of devastating the wildlife in our great city. --    So much so that some of us have to look back on old photos from "yesterday" to realize we once used to have safe haven for resident geese in New York City's premier park in the fall of the year.

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 The Guns of Autumn  (Today)

If some of us believe the summer to be particularly brutal for Canada geese due to federal USDA goose roundups and slaughters, it is pale compared to the sheer carnage of autumn and its waves of bullets piercing blue skies and bringing down hundreds of thousands of geese and other birds.  

Thumbing through goose-related articles and columns these days, virtually all of them extol the "joys" of blasting geese out of the skies.

Below are just two recent examples:

http://www.sacbee.com/2012/09/27/4860847/pymatuning-controlled-goose-hunt.html

Waiting For Geese | StarTribune.com  

The first is an article from the Sacramento Bee which provides in some detail how we deliberately created an artificial population of Canada geese to shoot at.

The second is an "outdoors column" by a hunter which, in some places is almost poetic.  But, then the last paragraph quite literally blows a hole through all the poetry and pretty images.  

But, I don't post this link due to the actual column, but because of a reader comment to it.

Writes one hunter: "The great thing about killing geese is that they mate for life.  If you kill the 'wife, ' the husband will land to see what is wrong and then you can blast him too."

Sometimes, one has to wonder what the world is really coming to?

                                                  ______

"I Saw a Young Child Beside a Dead Pony"   (Tomorrow)

There are some in religious circles who believe the world is coming to an end in December of this year.

I don't personally believe this.  -- But,  I am hoping for some kind of sweeping and all-encompassing change. 

Something that would force us to look at the values we are using to shape the world around us and send it into precarious direction.

Those "values" and directions require serious change.

Nothing quite so compels one to this thought process than a recent article out of Great Britain:

http://www.winsfordguardian.co.uk/news/9953881.Families_look_on_in_horror_as_geese_are_slain_at_lake/

Yes, we know about hunting and yes we know about goose "culling."

But, to carry out these massacres before the eyes of young and impressionable children in the light of day is something so sinister and monstrous as to shoot daggers through the heart of innocence itself.

It reminds one of a line from a song:

"I saw a young child beside a dead pony."

The line is from the Bob Dylan classic, "A Hard Rain's A Gonna Fall."

Perhaps I just believe some hard rains are going to have to fall -- hopefully ones that ultimately serve to cleanse the buildup of grime and cruelty and renew all that was once innocent, pure and "yesterday."  -- PCA

                                                    

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Surviving Ducks and Environmental (Non) Protection

(Photo:  Wiggly and Honker, surviving domestic ducks at Harlem Meer.) 

The Survivors

Since the loss of Brad last week, Harlem Meer has been strange.

It is not because of a lack of ducks as many of the migrant mallards have recently returned.  (The Meer is in fact, bustling with avian activity  these days.)

However, there are no geese and there is no Brad causing the Meer to appear like a painting missing its main subject.

Brad (a domestic, flightless duck) was a fixture at Harlem Meer for at least four years, his presence testimony to the resiliency of nature to survive and endure even the harshest of circumstances.

The irony of losing Brad at a time of year of plentiful food supply and mild temperatures cannot be lost.   It was truly the last thing expected.

Brad was as dear to me as one of my own pets.

His death is particularly distressing because it is difficult to believe it due to natural causes.

One cannot say exactly what caused the demise of Brad, but through process of elimination, it seems almost certainly due to some human activity.  

One suspects barbed hooks, fishing line or bait from the abundance of fishing at the Meer two weekends ago.   Its possible Brad might have been hit with a rock or injured in some other way, but I believe that to be less likely.   Brad was very smart about avoiding dogs and rowdy kids.

There is also the possibility of lead poisoning:

http://www.icontact-archive.com/g63M-UXK75LItOkL_JcS0edN0HdGw60W?w=2  

In any event, I worry now about Brad's two domestic and surviving flock mates.

"Honker" has only been at the Meer a few months and obviously not survived a winter there.  Wiggly has been at the Meer a year, but had the leadership, guidance and protection of Brad last winter to get her through.   Neither of these domestic (Khacki Campbell) ducks seemingly has the awareness, forethought and caution that Brad displayed.  Both are somewhat scatterbrained and risk taking.

It is interesting that now that Brad is gone, Honker and Wiggly don't hang out with each other or "flock together" even though they appear to be the same breed of Campbell duck.

Not only is Brad gone, but the "Bradley Brigade" as well. 

Brad kept Wiggly and Honker together and in line despite both bird's tendencies to wander.  Now, the two survivors appear to be drifting.  That may be OK for now, but could be deadly in winter.

Much will depend on what kind of winter we have in NYC this year.

A mild one would mean open water and many ducks (and geese) at the Meer, which should aid in Honker and Wiggly's survival.

But, a harsh winter (like 2010) would mean a frozen and bird empty lake in which, (if not organized and working together) Wiggly and Honker will surely perish.

Brad's death is significant, not only for actual loss of him, but what it possibly signifies for his two surviving (flightless) flock mates who so relied upon him.

I hope I am wrong about Wiggly and Honker's innate and individual survival skills.  

Hopefully, they surprise me.

                                                      ----------------

 "It's Not Our Job"

Distraught over both the loss of Brad and fishing abuses (ignoring of fishing rules) observed in Central Park for more than three years, I called numerous city, park and state agencies last Friday to register complaint and suggest changes.

I suggested to the Director of Operations for Central Park Conservancy that since the park lacks staffing to sufficiently monitor and enforce fishing rules, it might consider allowing only the rented fishing equipment from the Dana Center to be used.  That way it could be insured that proper and non-injurious fishing tackle was used, while still allowing the activity.  

I also requested that Park Rangers be properly equipped for waterfowl rescue when needed, such as kayaks or dingoes when sick or injured birds are on the water. 

And I suggested the posting of signs near fishing sites informing people of the rules.

The reality is however, there are hundreds of people who fish in Central Park during nice weather.  There are only a few of "us" monitoring and reporting abuses or picking up discarded tackle left in water or on grass.  Its doubtful that suggestions will be considered, much less implemented.

Most frustrating however, among the calls made last week was one to the Department of Environmental Protection of New York State.

Although the official told me that he might "send a couple of agents" to check on the fishing situation at Harlem Meer, he added, "You need to understand though that even if my agents find any discarded fishing line, they do not pick it up."

"Excuse me, did I hear you correctly?" I asked.  "Did you just say that even if your agents find fishing line in the park, they will not pick it up?"

"Yes, that is correct.  It is not the job of my agents to pick up discarded lines or hooks.  It is the park's job to pick up garbage."

"But, fishing line does not degrade in the environment!  It is a threat to wildlife AND the ecosystem!   Maybe you don't care about the wildlife, but what if this stuff gets around a child?  Isn't it your job to protect the environment?"

The official became angry with that line of questioning and disconnected the phone call.

I simply could not believe I had just spoken with the Department of "Environmental Protection" who basically told me it is not their job to actually protect the environment.

Exactly what are these bureaucrats paid for? -- PCA

                                                             


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