May 2
...serving up your daily dish.
No, it's not a new breakfast dish at Church Street Cafe. The eggs in questions, belong to Canadian geese, who can't get no respect, at least not at Edgemont Park. Seems all the Canadian goose nests in the park have mysteriously disappeared. From the Montclair Watercooler comes news that Kevin Ward, director of township parks, has obtained a federal permit for "egg addling". According to the poster, Lina Panza, the eggs in the nests never would have hatched anyway (we think a few momma geese would beg to differ!)
There is a severe canadian goose overpopulation problem in this country, as manifested by the 300 or so resident geese that inhabited Edgemont Park 6 years ago. Thanks to the efforts of Kevin and the township, the number has been gradually declining and is now down to 10-20 geese. The ball fields and pathways are now much cleaner (meaning, free from goose feces) than they have ever been. The park is also safer and more enjoyable for all.
Except the geese.
The fact that one needs a Federal Permit proves that not just the eggs are addled!
Posted by: Right of Center | May 2, 2005 12:15:58 PM
Clearly, population control of some sort is a good idea in a park environment where the geese won't have any natural predators. I hope the goal isn't to completely eliminate the geese from the park, though. Our suburban concept of "outdoors" is sanitized enough as it is.
Posted by: David P. Powell | May 2, 2005 1:11:43 PM
ROC -
I totally agree with you! Don't those fools in charge of our federal government know that permits and regulations are just hidden taxes?
We shoulda elected that other guy. I saw him out goose hunting. He hates geese.
Posted by: Lex | May 2, 2005 1:15:36 PM
I am actually amazed at the wildllife we have in these parts. I regularly see deer. In my yard live a family of Racoons and a few Possums!
Posted by: Right of Center | May 2, 2005 1:17:48 PM
Besides these "goslings" are just potential ones right? Just embryos which could not survive out of the egg on their own, so what's the big deal?
Posted by: Right of Center | May 2, 2005 1:32:49 PM
Haha, there goes ROC trying to start an abortion argument. I'm not biting.
Posted by: anon. | May 2, 2005 1:36:41 PM
From the >US CANADA GOOSE EGG ADDLING PROTOCOL
"Addling means 'loss of development' It commonly refers to any process by which an egg
ceases to be viable. Addling can happen naturally when incubation is interrupted for long
enough that eggs cool and embryonic development stops. Humans addle where they want to
manage bird populations. Addling should be only one component of a comprehensive,
integrated, humane program to resolve conflict between people and wild Canada geese."
...
"The federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act and its amendments protect virtually all native bird
species, including Canada geese. Protected birds, their nests, and their eggs cannot be 'taken' or
harmed in any way without a permit from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS).
Under current law, all addling programs must be permitted by USFWS. Addling programs
should also be coordinated with state wildlife officials. Anyone seeking to addle the eggs of
any bird is responsible for obtaining the necessary permit before proceeding. Addlers must
carry a copy of their permit when addling and be prepared to show it to law enforcement
authorities."
...
"Knowing how eggs develop is also essential to a successful, humane addling program. It is
imperative to addle eggs in early stages of development. Humane treatment of developing
embryos becomes an issue when an air sac develops inside the egg. An air sac forms as the
developing embryo use the egg's stored food and air, passing through the porous shell, fills the
space. At that point, development is typically advanced enough to demand euthanasia to ensure
humane death. It is simply far more effective, efficient, and humane to stop development at
earlier stages to avoid the need to consider humane destruction. Appropriate humane euthanasia
for developing embryos is beyond the scope of this protocol.
In Canada geese, eggs that are less than 14 days old can be addled humanely. Beyond that
time, and when the eggs first begin to float when placed in water, humane treatment of the
developing embryo must be considered"
Ironic, no?
Posted by: Right of Center | May 2, 2005 1:45:57 PM
There's nothing "wild" about deer, geese, racoons and possums. They're vermin, like rats and mice.
Posted by: walleroo | May 2, 2005 1:56:26 PM
If people didn't feed wild animals, we wouldn't have this problem. They no longer fear humans as a result.
Posted by: Miss Martta | May 2, 2005 2:22:33 PM
Just for the record, they are Canada Geese, not "Canadian" Geese.
Posted by: Evan Cutler | May 2, 2005 2:47:23 PM
It's not as simple as feeding them. We've created a new habitat (the suburbs) in which they, unfortunately, thrive. Whether or not we feed them, they eat the garbage, roam the forest-like backyards, eat the daisies, etc.
Posted by: walleroo | May 2, 2005 2:51:00 PM
hey! Censorship can be fun!
I bet the Chinese make similar mistakes all the time...
Posted by: Right of Center | May 2, 2005 3:29:02 PM
Walleroo, I'm not sure whether you're trolling. I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and assume that you're merely an ignoramus. Deer, geese, racoons (sic) and possums are not "vermin" unless, perhaps, they're in your house. For that matter, neither are rats and mice. Or squirrels. Or birds. The idea that they're no longer "wild" because we've built our own habitant among them is laughable.
These animals did not spawn out of thin air. They are native to this area. We are not.
Posted by: David P. Powell | May 2, 2005 4:09:31 PM
(careful walleroo, looks like you got off easy - this time...)
I don't know if mice are Vermin or no, but if they come in the house they are dispatched (same for squirrels).
Thank God a Racoon or Possum have not come in!
Posted by: Right of Center | May 2, 2005 4:14:28 PM
p.s. can one [sic] a [sic]?
(I wouldn't want to make a mistake!)
Posted by: Right of Center | May 2, 2005 4:25:29 PM
FWIW, Paws is happy to come to your house and safely evacuate a wayward squirrel...once. After that, they expect you to get your chimney cap fixed!
Posted by: David P. Powell | May 2, 2005 4:26:50 PM
