HELP!! Local Park ALWAYS has injured geese!

[M.A.D.]

I love visiting a park near my house, but it really disturbs me that every time I go there I find yet another goose with fishing line tied around its leg. Just today I saw at least 3. There is fishing line everywhere you look at this park, I try to clean it all up everytime I go but one person is not enough. Does anyone have any suggestions on what I can do to help these poor geese. Last year I had to rustle up quit a few feathers before anything was done to save a goose from loosing its leg. I think that the city should make sure people don't leave fishing line everywhere; and help the birds that are already injured from it.

[Barbara]

Have you reported this to the HS or the SPCA? Have you show them your pictures? You mention metaphorically that in the past you did get some kind of response to your complaints...who did respond and how?

[Kelly]

Does the DNR patroll this area to be sure everyone has a fishing license? Maybe if they did it would discourage so many people from fishing there. I know a lot of avid fishers and they would never leave things like that around. Do you have a lot of younger people fishing? Like school kids? Maybe the city could put up some signs regarding the geese? I'd like to know the answers to Barbs questions also.

[M.A.D.]

Well almost exactly a year ago there was a canadian goose with fishing line wrapped around its leg. I at first called animal control who said they would take care of it, I went back a few days later and they had not. So I called again and went to meet them at the park to show them which goose it was but they did not show up untill it was dark out. I was then told I should catch the goose and take it to the vet. I was a little bothered that I had been told that because I am not trained to do any such thing. I tried calling a few wildlife rescue places near-by without any luck. I ended up coming here(ASPCA community) and I got the name of some higher ups. After speaking with them I was told that It would be taken care of. It was almost a month before the goose was helped.Thank goodness too because it was unable to move at all at that point. I ended up having to call animal control three times a day for a few days in a row, and finally on my birthday the goose was helped. I am willing to do this all again; but I was wondering how I should go about keeping it from happening in the first place.

[Kelly]

Well good for you for being so persistant! Have you brought it up to the city? or the Parks department?

[M.A.D.]

I sent an email to the city and the parks dept. but I am sure I will not get a reply until at least monday.

[Kelly]

Hopefully they will do something. A sign even! Those geese/ducks are lucky to have you caring about them!

[Ashley Robinson]

What city do you live in? You haven't mentioned this! I would suggest calling the Game Commission. Also, if you own a printer, or even if you don't own a printer, you can go the local library and pay to use thiers, I would suggest printing out a couple of fliers and asking local businesses (supermarkets, sub shops, pizza shops, pet supply stores, etc.) if you can post a flier in thier window or public area. If you go the library, it shouldn't cost more than $1 or $2 to print out 10 fliers. Make a flyer (using Microsoft Word) that has at least one photo on it, and that says something along the lines of "Do you fish at ____ Park? Do you visit ____ Park? If you do, you should know about the situation with the geese getting caught in fishing line! Clean up after yourself and/or your children!! If you are concerned about this, call ____(Insert city phone number you called). I think if you get local people aware of the problem, and having them call the city or Game Commission, you can get better results. Not all people have time to sit on the internet and go to this ASPCA website. Try to talk to the people you see sitting/walking/jogging at the park!! If you go to the park as often as you say you do, You could easily reach out to the people who also visit the park. And those people who told you to catch the goose are totally wrong. They are wild animals and should only be handled by Animal Control or the Game Commission!! You could injure your self, and/or the goose by trying to catch it. They may also carry parasites that you are unaware of!!!

[Barbara]

I think Ashley is giving you some great advice here. People may not realize the damage they are doing and if you make them aware, it could act as a preventative. By the way, are you Ashley from the old site who owns the pits?

[M.A.D.]

Wow thank you. That is a really good idea. I live in Riverside, Ca. and the park is Fairmount Park. I actually brought this to the attention of the Mayer, he said he is concerned and is going to have conversations with all the appropriate people to make sure this gets taken care of. For now I will definetly make those signs.
Thanks

[M.A.D.]

I am so pleased to let everyone know that after talking with the mayer, parks and recreation department, and department of fish and game; there is going to be signs put in all around the park informing people to pick up their fishing line, and the dept. of fish and game are going to start checking for fishing licences at the park more often. The geese that are already injured should receive help very very soon as well.
Thanks for all the great suggestions from everyone!

[M.A.D.]

I met with the head of the parks and recreation department down at the park; he had me show him the geese and all the loose fishing line everywhere. They are now getting signage up everywhere the geese are getting helped and everything is going to be taken care of. Thank you to everyone who helped! I appreciate it soooooo much.

[TheFriskyBeaver]

Kuddo's on your work!! That is AWESOME. The world would be a better place with more people like you. Keep up the good work. :o) Amy