A Disturbing Outrage (For Animal Lovers)

My husband read something the other day that said the ducks had been taken from Belmont Lake State Park and brought to their destruction. I couldn't believe it, and thought maybe I was just dreaming, since he told me as I was half asleep. But, after driving past the park and seeing no ducks, swans or geese, I began thinking otherwise, so I asked him about it last night. He confirmed that he really did tell me. And as I went past today, again I saw not one duck, not one swan, not even one goose.

How sick is this? The ducks, swans and geese can't even enjoy a park? Where are they supposed to go if they can't stop at our parks? Why couldn't they maybe just thin the population instead of taking them all away? And to be brought to their destruction instead of being taken to a preserve, that's just got me feeling devestated. From what my husband remembered about the story he read, it wasn't just Belmont Lake State Park that did this. He looked for the story, but I guess he must have thrown it away.

Does anyone know about this?? How could they be allowed to do this?

We had wedding pictures taken at Belmont Lake State Park, and I know many people who use the parks for pictures, or picnicing, or whatever, have concerns for the droppings left behind from our feathered friends, but seriously, was it really necessary for whoever did this to bring these animals to their deaths?

Message edited 7/18/2002 12:18:58 PM.

Re: A Disturbing Outrage (For Animal Lovers)

I did hear that, they said there were too many of them so they fed them to the homeless (supposedly)

Re: A Disturbing Outrage (For Animal Lovers)

Unfortunately when there is an "over abundance" of these birds they have to destroy them. Taking them away and putting them somewhere else would be useless...these birds have a honing system that even the best scientists can't figure out. Wherever you put them, they will come back. It sounds cruel I know...but I'm sure, but think about all the precious dogs and cats that are destroyed each year because they are not neutered or spayed and then we are over populated with them and that rises a health risk for humans, with deseases and animals that are not properly taken care of. Try not to be upset, it is reality and it stinks..but believe me you will see birds back in that park in no time.

Re: A Disturbing Outrage (For Animal Lovers)

I think that is awful! How can they kill a living bird because too many people don't like the droppings? I mean honestly are we all that self-important! I think we should write to the Parks Committee or something.

Re: A Disturbing Outrage (For Animal Lovers)

These were not ducks, or swans - they were those Canadian Geese (they are not the same, correct me if I am wrong). I know for one their is a huge over population of them right here in my office complex in Woodbury (Crossways Park). Not only are they a hazard when they stroll across the busy roadway, but their droppings are gross. The story appeared in Newsday back in June:

June 18, 2002

They munch on grass, ruining manicured parks, and they scare Little League players at ballfields. For Steven Shepard, though, the biggest problem Canada geese pose is the stuff they leave behind.

"Let's just say I've had my ball stuck once or twice in not the most savory of lies,” said Shepard, an East Meadow golf enthusiast who said he has come across the droppings on many of Long Island's courses.

"You just hit it anyway,” he said. "You do what you can.”

The graceful birds may be pretty to look at, but communities across Long Island have been battling the problem for years, using everything from border collies to hunters.

Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y) says he has received hundreds of letters of complaint about the birds, making it one of residents' biggest gripes after taxes. Yesterday, he unveiled a six-part plan to reduce the number of geese that plague Long Island's parks, playing fields and golf courses without killing them.

Crafted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services and tried out in other states, the suggested methods include planting bushes and tall grass at the edges of ponds to make the birds feel vulnerable to predators, building fences along the shorelines and scaring the geese with plastic owls, lasers and dogs.

One component of the plan involves "addling,” or shaking the geese eggs to spoil them before they hatch. The six methods will be tried in six different locations across Long Island, to be chosen later, to determine which ones work best.

"It's easy to sort of snicker,” said Schumer, speaking at a news conference at Eisenhower Park, where he presented his plan. "But the problem has gone beyond snickering. It's gotten serious.”

Schumer recalled how his daughter's soccer team couldn't find a field free of bird droppings. Another time, a dad who had tried to organize a "choose-up” game with 18 neighborhood kids told him he couldn't find a clean place to play.

And two days before the Long Island Ducks played on Opening Day in Islip, a flock of the geese landed on the field. Workers used border collies to chase the birds away.

"They've become a year-round problem, destroying fields and destroying grass,” Schumer said. "You have to take every step with extreme care.”

Parks Commissioners Doreen Banks and Peter Scully said officials have spent untold dollars trying out unsuccessful methods to rid parks of the birds.

They welcomed this latest effort.

"People call and complain,” Banks said. "They're outraged and they want you to hurry up and do something. Short of lobbing a grenade, I don't know how you'd deal with this. Even if you got rid of this year's population, they'll be back next year.”

"When you look at the challenges facing the world and the country, some people might not consider goose control a major concern,” Scully said, "but in our part of the world, it is.”

Fred Castick of the Fish and Wildlife Services said the agency welcomed any plan that would help reduce the bird problem without having to resort to killing the geese. Until now, the agency has given hunting licenses to people who want to get rid of the birds.

Castick said hunting is not the most effective method of bird control and licenses to hunt are not given for populated places such as golf courses.

"I think it's a great idea to get rid of them,” said Rich Bonifazio, the owner of the pro shop at Eisenhower Park's gold course. "We've seen them attack people -- kids and even adults, chasing carts. They're the most ornery birds.”

Re: A Disturbing Outrage (For Animal Lovers)

We have had a problem with Canadian Geese in my local park as well. But it is illegal to harm them. I believe a Federal offense. So what they have done is "hired" a sheep dog. He is employed by the town and under the supervision of the dog control officer. He romps around the park and herds the geese up, basically annoying them - but never touching or harming them. They eventually get the idea that there must be a better place to hang out and leave. He's been doing a good job, now the kids can play ball again without sliding home into poop.

Re: A Disturbing Outrage (For Animal Lovers)

I know there are a lot of cruel things that go on in this world, not just with animals. But I do what I can to try to help where I can where animals are concerned. Animals can not simply be swept off because they are animals. My cat was adopted from PAWS .. an animal rescue, and I've donated lots of money to foundations that assist animals destined to horrible fates. Sorry, but we are taking over the land off of which the animals live. We can not just destroy them when it's good for us.

Maybe all that's being reported here are the destruction of the Canadian Geese, and think what you want about them, it's still the destruction of a life, and I happen to like Canadian Geese just like a duck. They are beautiful creations, whatever their attitudes might be. However, it is my understanding that it was not just Canadian Geese rounded up, and I've seen with my own eyes .. there are no water fowl to be seen at Belmont Lake when driving past. Where did all the ducks and swans go?

Like I said, I understand the need for population control, just like they do with deer in the forests. But, where it appears there is more than a thinning that took place, something stinks. Of course, I guess maybe the ducks and swans are in hiding, fearing for their life, and that's why I can't see them anymore from the road. Guess I should take a ride around the park in order to get the "real" story.

Here's the story Suffolk Life ran last week, it paints a much, much more controversial picture:
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=4689265&BRD=1776&PAG=461&dept_id=6365&rfi=8

OR go to http://www.suffolklife.com and type in Belmont Lake into the search box.

Message edited 7/18/2002 3:59:35 PM.

Re: A Disturbing Outrage (For Animal Lovers)

it may be reality and a problem type situation but i think its disgusting. they are part of nature. sad