The Parks and Recreation department and Park Board has been made aware of concerns and questions raised by community members to the Board, City Council and others regarding goose mitigation strategies approved by the Park Board in 2020.

Paul Widman, Director of Parks and Recreation, stated, “We recognize the concerns and questions raised by community members.  We have been and are committed to following the recommendations of the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS).  The Park Board and department value wildlife and we will continue to ensure we are taking a thoughtful and humane approach to wildlife management.”

Federal law protects geese but there are provisions for management of resident geese on public and private lands.  Egg addling is recommended by Peta and the Humane Society for the control of resident geese flocks. The procedures will be under the guidance of Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the US Fish and Wildlife Service. 

The amount of dialogue that has been inspired has also created misinformation about the protocol being followed, and a Frequently Asked Questions document has been created to address concerns. 

The following was provided by representatives of HSUS in direct relation to Rochester.   

• HSUS considers the addling of Canada goose eggs as a humane and effective method for controlling the population growth rate of Canada geese, as long as the addling is performed as described in our egg addling protocol.
• The HSUS considers the addling of Canada goose eggs as a humane practice when the eggs addled have been incubated for 14 days or less. Before 14 days of incubation, studies have shown that the embryos inside are not developed enough to feel pain. The HSUS views the addling of eggs that have been incubated for more than 14 days as inhumane; these should be left alone and not addled.
• The HSUS recognizes three techniques for addling Canada goose eggs as humane: oiling (fully covering the eggs with 100% corn oil), removal (removing the eggs completely from incubation and disposing of in accordance with USFWS regulations), and replacement (replacing the eggs with “dummy” eggs).

Volunteers and contractors are following all of these protocols as a part of the efforts.  Data will be collected to ensure additional updates can be shared with the Parks Board and community.