Canada Geese moult cull ‘all but completed’

27 January 2012

Canada Geese moult cull ‘all but completed’

A moult cull of Canada Geese in Canterbury has finished. While it replaced ones previously undertaken by Fish & Game, it does not preclude further culls in South Island by the control group, individuals or groups of organised hunters, given the bird has no legal protection.

“The cull of introduced Canada Geese was a combined operation involving High Country farmers, Christchurch International Airport and others. We also appreciated the assistance of the Department of Conservation,” says Graham Reed Federated Farmers High Country chairperson.

“Canada Geese are an aggressive environmental pest. Without control, they’ll outcompete native waterfowl for food and nesting sites. They also pose a very real threat to aviation.

“Canada geese also produce prodigious quantities of excrement that is not only full of bacteria, but is passed directly into sensitive waterways like Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere.

“For farmers, especially High Country ones, these birds add to our difficulties. They compete with our stock for food and actively damage valuable pasture and crops.

“These birds have no redeeming qualities aside from providing sport for hunters.

“To replace Fish & Game’s cull, the Government offered the control group we’re part of, up to $100,000 for a one-off programme. The cull was carried out using the same methods Fish & Game employed and was done in accordance with Ministry of Agriculture & Forestry guidelines.

“We estimate around 18,000 geese have been accounted for but private control operations and individuals, unconnected to our group, would have taken more.

“We also estimate the South Island population of Canada Geese has been reduced to about 40,000 birds. That’s still double what Fish & Game agreed to in the 1995 South Island Canada Goose Management Plan.

“I need to stress that the sole objective of this programme, has been to get numbers down to a level that recreational hunters will be able to maintain.

“We’ve started reviewing the cull as part of reporting back to Government. There will be learning’s we’ll take from what was a big operation. Looking to the future, we’re also on track to establish a permanent group to manage Canada Geese.

“When we meet over the next six weeks, it will be with Government, airport authorities, district and regional councils as well as land owner groups. It will of course include recreational hunting groups too,” Mr Reed concluded.

ENDS