DND warns of spring geese takeover of Carling Campus

DND is warning its Carling Campus employees how to deal with aggressive geese as the birds invade the area this spring. Photo by Ashley Fraser /POSTMEDIAArticle content

The Canadian military has issued a warning to staff about geese at its Carling Avenue headquarters, advising those who encounter the sometimes aggressive birds to remain calm and don’t panic.

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The situation has developed over the years where geese have taken over the grounds of the defence campus in Ottawa’s west end. That happens during breeding season as Canada geese can become extremely aggressive after laying eggs.

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Department of National Defence spokesperson Nick Drescher Brown said a directive has been issued to staff by the Canadian Forces Support Group outlining how to behave if they encounter the birds.

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The directive warns both military and civilian staff not to attempt to feed or touch the geese as that could provoke them.

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If employees encounter one of the birds that is displaying aggressive behaviour, they are advised to “remain calm and do not panic. Try to move away slowly and quietly without turning your back to the goose. Maintain eye contact while you back away.”

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“If the goose charges or hisses, raise your arms to appear larger and back away slowly,” the directive advised.

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Nesting season is from March to May.

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Surrounded by the Greenbelt, the complex on Moodie Drive is facing ever-worsening swarms of geese every spring. Photo by Ashley Fraser /POSTMEDIAArticle content

The Toronto Wildlife Centre has pointed out that Canada geese attacking people or cars is a sure sign that a goose nest is nearby. The Carling Campus is surrounded by the Ottawa Greenbelt, where geese nest. The birds, which are also well-known for their defensive nesting behaviour, also nest in busy urban areas near people and cars, according to the centre.

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The centre pointed out that sometimes a nest isn’t obvious as it might be in a planter or on a nearby roof.

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It is unclear how many geese are at the the Carling Avenue defence headquarters. “Canadian Forces Support Group (Ottawa-Gatineau) Operations does not track the number of geese at NDHQ Carling,” Drescher Brown noted in an email.

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Geese Relief, a U.S. firm that uses specially trained dogs to keep Canada geese in check by scaring them off, pointed out that most attacks on humans result in minor or no injuries. But severe injuries can happen. “Goose attacks have resulted in broken bones, head trauma, and emotional distress,” the company said on its website. “Many of these injuries occur when the person tries to avoid an attacking goose and trips and falls.”

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According to a previous DND directive about the Canada geese, the species is protected and cannot be relocated once they have nested. That directive pointed out that the greenbelt, where the complex is situated, is home to various migrating wildlife.

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