The Canada geese have returned to Edmonton, and though they may be a welcomed sign of spring, they do tend to be somewhat messy, according to CBC News
City officials noted that managing the problem can sometimes be difficult, as the large birds are hungry and looking for food. They find the new green grass of lawns and golf courses to be very tasty, and they can sometimes damage these areas by tearing them up and leaving a mess behind.
As in past years, the city has applied for a permit to move the geese. Since they are a migratory species, they are protected. Once one has been obtained, they will be rounded up and then moved to locations outside the city, where they will be able to live and eat without causing damage.
The eggs found in nests in the city’s two largest parks are also brushed with mineral oil so that they don’t hatch.
While the birds may a nuisance, brochure printers can create materials that let the public know how to scare them away without hurting them.
According to a wildlife expert with Environment Canada, the geese have adapted well to urban areas, which has allowed their numbers to rapidly expand over the past 40 years. They also enjoy the type of grass that tends to be found on urban and suburban lawns.
