The North Roseland goose control initiative was originally brought forward by Councillor Payne as a complaint driven issue from residents disliking the volume of guano on the walking trails which is popular park feature. They are also frequently used by students going from the neighbourhood to Talbot Trail School. Residents were further concerned that some geese displayed aggressive behaviour particularly during breeding season.

City Administration being unfamiliar with avian wildlife control solutions requested the support of the wildlife control specialists at Your Quick Gateway – Windsor Airport. Wildlife Control Specialists had been monitoring the goose population at North Roseland as it was considered a potential risk to flight safety due to the close proximity of this facility to airport approaches.

Initially a number of mitigation measures were reviewed and employed including habitat modification (increasing grass length), behaviour modification (scare tactics) and public education (reduce intentional feeding). Some of these measures also require permit and permission from the Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS) as Canada Goose is a species protected under the Migratory Bird Act and Convention. The Act prevents harassing, disturbing, hazing, trapping, egg destruction and killing of protected species.

The Airport Authority does not readily undertake wildlife control activities outside of the airport boundary but it was agreed that from a risk management perspective and to immediately reduce the number of individuals from this population, Airport Operations would on behalf of the City of Windsor apply for a permit to remove and relocate this population of geese. The CWS in scrutinizing requests for permit prioritizes permits involving public safety over general nuisance.

On June 28, 2012, as an undertaking of the Airport Authority, the entire population of Canada Goose was removed from Captain Wilson Pond and relocated to Holiday Beach Conservation Area. By late fall several adults had returned to reclaim breeding territory as expected without the return of any goslings. For a number of years the population remained manageable. In the absence of a follow up control plan the population of Canada Goose is steadily increasing to date.

Council following the delivery of that program directed City Administration (B19/2013) to review a city wide goose control initiative. The issue of controlling wildlife populations, particularly avian species is complex and complicated in an urban environment especially with regulatory policy and dissimilar views within the public.

DISCUSSION:

From previous experience and recent consultation with the CWS, before looking at controlling any wildlife population (of geese) it is first necessary to identify the issue, the extent of the population and the carrying capacity of the habitat area they occupy. A population study or survey needs to be undertaken which should also include identifying typical or predictable movements and must include where public safety and nuisance