Diane, Seattle Area animal Rights Activist
December 2013
Action:
Please thank Andrew Fielding for using only non-lethal goose control measures
Killing is not a long-term solution. It creates a void in the environment and other geese soon move in, which then creates an endless cycle of killing. In addition, killing is not the answer to every real and perceived wildlife issue. We must do a better job of sharing the earth with wildlife. Together we can make a difference.
Last June, Washington State Parks hired USDA Wildlife Services to kill geese
at Lake Sammamish State Park. The adult geese and goslings were
rounded up, stuffed into gas chambers in the back of USDA trucks, and gassed
to death.
Many individuals and organizations spoke out against the killing and asked
the state to use proven non-lethal deterrents instead.
The good news is that State Parks is not planning on killing geese at Lake
Sammamish State Park or any other state park in 2014!
State Parks met with various agencies and groups and reviewed an extensive
list of humane measures. They will implement those having the most
likelihood of success, while staying within budget.
Their focus will be on Lake Sammamish State Park, since it is in an urban area with many geese.
The current plan includes using:
There are also capital improvements planned for Lake Sammamish State Park
that will include major landscape modifications. In an effort to
commercialize the park and make it “profitable” they are considering adding
a restaurant, lodge, artificial turf for soccer fields, etc., which will
have a negative impact on wildlife habitat. However, some capital
improvements include shoreline and wetland restoration for wildlife.
The situation still needs to be closely monitored to make sure that the
state provides space for wildlife and does not resume killing, but for now
the geese are safe.
Killing is not a long-term solution. It creates a void in the
environment and other geese soon move in, which then creates an endless
cycle of killing. In addition, killing is not the answer to every real
and perceived wildlife issue. We must do a better job of sharing the
earth with wildlife. Together we can make a difference.
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