Reduced populations of young Canada geese and a general decline in the overall count of these birds.
In the city of Düsseldorf, the population of Canada geese has undergone a significant change over the past decade. According to recent data, the number of Canada geese in park areas has more than tripled, rising from 329 in 2009 to 966 in 2017. This trend has been observed citywide, with the total number of Canada geese doubling from 700 in 2009 to around 1,400 in 2017.
To address this increase, a comprehensive goose management project was initiated, accompanied by expert opinions. The project has shown promising results, as the growth trend of the Canada goose population has been curbed in the second year. However, due to the high life expectancy of the geese, continued efforts are necessary.
One of the key strategies has been the removal of eggs from goose nests found in park areas. This year, over 800 eggs were removed, which is 200 more than last year. This intervention has led to a decrease in the number of young Canada geese, with the total currently at 90. The proportion of young birds was also found to be lower than in previous years, at 13 percent, compared to the consistent average of around 20 percent and occasional peaks of over 30 percent.
The management efforts have been successful in reducing the number of Canada geese in parks. For instance, the number expected for 2019 was 1,100, but it has been reduced to 907. To further raise public awareness, feeding signs have been placed in relevant park areas, and a new flyer, "Please do not feed - I find my own food," has been developed.
Heavily frequented areas, such as paths and the water play area in the zoo park, are prioritized for cleaning. A special cleaning machine has been acquired for increased cleaning intervals during peak goose times. Additionally, mute swans are being prepared nesting sites as they are known to prevent geese from breeding.
An awareness campaign against feeding geese has been started, with promoters approaching park visitors directly. Canada geese have been observed to have nested in very small park areas where they were not present before 2018, which can be interpreted as an avoidance behavior due to the egg management.
Despite the decreasing number of geese, the droppings load remains high. It is important to note that the responsible organization for the development and implementation of goose management in Düsseldorf has not been explicitly identified in the provided search results.
In conclusion, the goose management project in Düsseldorf has shown promising results in curbing the growth of the Canada goose population. However, continued efforts are necessary due to the high life expectancy of the geese, and the public's cooperation is crucial in maintaining a clean and safe environment for all park visitors.
