West Orange Residents Question Lethal Goose Management Practices
The tranquil Essex County township of West Orange is in a heated debate over Canada geese management. Although the geese seem unaffected, many homeowners oppose wildlife management, especially lethal bird control.
Since Goose Control Technology, the township’s longtime contractor, uses carbon dioxide gassing to euthanize geese, strident opponent Councilwoman Joyce Rudin has highlighted concerns. She called this practice “horrific” and asked for ethical solutions to protect birds and the community. Rudin proposed compassionate nonlethal population management.
About 63,000 nonmigratory Canada geese live in NJ year-round. Though their number is unknown in West Orange, the birds might harm the ecosystem. Adult geese can pollute ponds and parks with two pounds of feces daily. For these reasons and occasional nesting aggressiveness, local authorities have tried population control.
Communities utilize egg addling, fencing, dense grass, lasers, and trained dogs to control geese. Preventing egg hatching is humanitarian and nonlethal. Some localities use removal services during the summer molt, when geese cannot fly, but federal laws require euthanasia.
West Orange altered its approach. Due to nonlethal techniques’ success, the township’s Goose Control Technology contracts solely cover egg addling and have abolished removal services. Michael Fonzino, the township’s health and welfare director, said the egg addling program is working and there are no plans to add suppliers.
Some residents fear despite the development. According to retiree and local committee member Laurence Cohen, geese nest in the same spots and may not need human intervention. Birds may dislike egg addling, but animal welfare activists and humane organization volunteers feel it is better than euthanizing entire families.
Nonlethal methods lower reproduction, but geese return to attractive areas, so they may not fix problems. Geese Chasers North Jersey owner Joseph Bello said trained dogs can influence geese behavior, reducing goslings in some ponds, but it needs constant work.
Councilwoman Rudin that West Orange explore Montclair’s nonlethal geese reduction methods, including dog teams and habitat management. These solutions are more expensive but humane and sustainable than lethal control.
West Orange locals assess public health and animal welfare amid conflicts. Township officials believe nonlethal methods are working, but residents and animal advocates argue more ethical options are required to safeguard humans and wildlife.
Humane wildlife management is a national issue, and West Orange shows how towns fight to reconcile environmental, public health, and ethical considerations.
Sources:
NJ DEP Environmental Protection
Fish and Wildlife Service
West Orange health and welfare reports
Neighborhood and animal welfare advocates interviewed
