Warner Park 100

putting a stop to the "roundups"

"It is the practice of roundups, more than anything else, that has divided communities. It is believed by many who care for geese and the environment to be unnecessary, illogical, and inhumane...When The HSUS advocates life-affirming solutions as the only reasonable response to the problems people sometimes have with Canada geese, we do so as much to affirm our own lives as theirs." - Humane Society of the United States (HSUS)

this site is lovingly dedicated to the geese of Warner Park

letter from Mayor Soglin to "goose-supporters" - 6/27/11

Dear Ms. XXXXXXX,

Thank you for contacting me with your concerns regarding the geese in Madison area parks. I appreciate hearing from you.

I understand that this is a very complicated and controversial issue and I know area residents feel passionately on both sides of the issue. As Mayor I need to strike a balance between the preservation of wildlife and the safety of residents who may be harmed by contaminated water due to goose feces.

I have consulted with Madison-Dane County Public Health Director Thomas Schlenker who reports that the same kind of pathogenic microbes identified in goose droppings that heavily contaminate Madison beaches cause 78 waterborne disease outbreaks, 4,412 illnesses, 116 hospitalizations and 5 deaths bi-annually in the US. The bacteria identified include E. coli 0157. Last summer, 2010, Olin and Vilas beaches were closed over 40 days due to dangerously high bacteria counts. Our expectation is that by reducing the goose population, Madison beaches will stay open longer and be safer for human recreation and sport.

As I have stated, I support multiple efforts to curtail the geese including oiling of the eggs, active harassment perhaps by dogs and adjusting the geese habitat by maintaining longer grasses. It is important to keep in mind however, that geese have a 20 year lifespan. That is why the Parks Commission recommended some harvesting as a last resort. I am not enamored with this solution but wish to hear more discussion about it and other alternatives to permanently removing adult geese that have a 20 year life spans.

I look forward to working with the Parks Department staff as well as Parks Commission member and citizens as this debate continues. Thank you again for contacting me.

Sincerely,
Paul R. Soglin
Mayor