Since 2013 I have heard about the "Canadian Goose population problem" here in Ottawa. The city this year is paying $30,000 to Steve Wambolt to use his 'Goosebuster' at Petrie Island. The machine is a remote controlled drone that can chase away geese on land, water, or air. It also has flashing lights, sirens. This is deeply concerning to me because there are so many other species of wildlife present on the island and this loud flying machine could also scare away other natural inhabitants. The concern from the city and public is that the geese were pooping so much(1.5 lbs/day) that there was a health risk with 140 different  types of bacteria present in the poop, including EColi.

What if there was a way to keep the birds safe and humans too but also be good for the environment?

In Peterborough Ontario just such a solution was found and put into action.

http://www.thepeterboroughexaminer.com/2013/02/04/geese-at-park-can-be-energizing

Students in the area began to clean up the poop and gave it to a company specializing in recycling poop (dog, geese, etc) The poop is then recycled into a renewable energy source that actually can power lightposts. The city was spending $200,000 in 'deterants' for the geese. The students put their plan into action, spending 1/10th of that cost to do it! The poop is turned into poop pellets that are odourless and can be burned to create energy.

Since there is already city funded workers keeping our parks clean, why not implement a process to clean up the poop and give it to the company who can deal with it in an environmentally benefical way?

As for the worry of geese attacking children, I spent many days and evenings observing the geese along the parkway last year and witnessed no attacks. Only when children went running after the geese did I see the birds get aggressive. I have sat amongst the birds without incident towards myself.

Lets work together to protect our wildlife as the human population grows and infringes upon their territory.

Please sign this petition to show the Ciy Of Ottawa and Councillor Bob Monette that there is a better way!

http://bobmonette.ca/CO/en/home