One Town'S Scheme to Get Rid of Its Geese

As I approach, tiptoeing over their grayish-white poop, I notice that one bird wears a white cuff around its slender black neck. It's a GPS tracker—part of a growing trend in wildlife management. The town of Wellesley, Massachusetts, has been using these devices to monitor and manage its Canada goose population since 2019. The goal is to reduce the geese's impact on the environment and public health. The geese, it turns out, are a source of noise, mess, and safety concerns. They damage crops and grass, and their droppings contain a parasite called E. coli that can make people sick. The town's efforts have been met with some controversy, with critics arguing that the devices are inhumane and ineffective. But supporters say they offer a humane and targeted approach to population control. The program has been successful so far, with the geese population dropping by 60%. The town is now exploring ways to expand the program to other areas.