Friday, May 04, 2012

Two wrongs

Two wrongs don't make a right. Late last month, I ran across a news story recounting how an Ohio woman spotted a landscaper destroying a goose nest so he could put down mulch. The woman called the cops and then the state wildlife people. The state guy explained to the cops and landscaper that he could not disturb the nest. In fact you can, if you register with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. I do this every year. The geese are protected by international treaty and the rules and fines can be severe. It was also explained to the woman that it was illegal for her to be feeding the geese.
I have to float-test eggs before addling to make sure that they are not too far along in their development. Feeding geese leads to geese getting used to humans and losing their fear of us.
How about we all just leave the WILD in wildlife and stop feeding them and disturbing their nests unless you are a wildlife professional.