The quiet town of Peapack-Gladstone in New Jersey is planning to tackle its Canada geese overpopulation problem with a method that has left many residents and animal rights activists ruffled. The town council has voted to euthanize the birds, a decision that has led to protests and a petition with over 2,000 signatures.
The decision, made in March, comes after what the council describes as 20 years of failed attempts to control the geese population at Liberty Park. The council argues that the geese have become an "infestation," causing issues ranging from health risks due to their feces, which can contain harmful bacteria, to damage to the park's pond and its ecosystem.
"The Borough Council appreciates those expressing their opinion regarding the infestation of the invasive species of geese that have inhabited Liberty Park. It is not a new issue," the council wrote in a statement. They further justify their decision by stating that the current population of Canada geese in New Jersey is estimated to exceed 70,000, far above the manageable population of 41,000 as suggested by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
The method of euthanasia, which involves rounding up the birds during the "molting" season when they cannot fly and euthanizing them with carbon dioxide, is approved by the federal government. However, this has done little to quell the public outcry.
Jackie Braun, an animal activist who started a Change.org petition against the killing of the geese, described the method as "barbaric," while others argue that the geese are a natural part of the environment and their presence should be managed, not eliminated.
The town council, however, insists that they have exhausted all other options, including the use of "geese police" dogs, organic compounds, and devices in the pond. They claim that the geese pose a threat to park users, both human and animal, due to the potential spread of disease and their behavior.
This is not the first time New Jersey has faced such a dilemma. In 2010, 2015, 2016, and 2020, similar methods were used to control the growing geese population. However, each instance has been met with public opposition.
As the debate continues, the town of Peapack-Gladstone finds itself at the center of a national conversation about wildlife management, public health, and the ethical treatment of animals. The final decision will not only impact the fate of the geese at Liberty Park but could also set a precedent for how other towns in New Jersey and beyond handle similar issues.
In the meantime, the geese remain unaware of their fate, continuing to waddle around Liberty Park, a reminder of the delicate balance between human habitation and wildlife in our shared environment.
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