We encourage our residents not to feed wildlife, including geese. Resisting the urge to enjoy this otherwise enjoyable pastime helps keep wildlife wild and healthy.
Feeding wildlife can lead to one or more of these serious problems:
- Human food is not healthy for wild animals, and they do not need food from humans to survive. Wild animals have specialized diets, and they can become malnourished or die if fed the wrong foods. Also, animals cannot distinguish food from wrappers or foil and can get sick eating these items.
- Feeding leads to public health concerns. Too many animals in one place increases the chance of disease transmission to people and among other wildlife. Geese feces typically contains E. coli and other pathogens
- Animals accustomed to people often lose their fear of people and can become aggressive. Those that become too aggressive may have to be destroyed to protect people and property.
- Large concentrations of ducks and geese can pollute nearby waterways, backyards and athletic facilities/fields. Some waterfowl species drop up to a pound of feces every day!
More information is available via the Resources links below. Please let us know if have questions or concerns about this City initiative by emailing info@coab.us or calling 247-5804.
Resources: