Egg-addling program to manage geese population underway

A program aimed at managing the numbers of non-migratory Canada geese in the Okanagan is underway with its 17th season this spring.

The Okanagan Valley Goose Management Program (OVGMP) uses egg-addling to control the populations, with organizers saying there are too many of the birds which leave a mess at local parks and beaches and increase the risk of water contamination in local water sources.

“Egg addling involves shaking eggs or coating them with non-toxic biodegradable food-grade corn oil within 14 days of incubation to make them non-viable and returning them to the nest,” Kate Hagmeier, program coordinator, said. “Geese will then continue to incubate until they realize the eggs will not hatch, usually too late in the year to produce more. This population control method is supported by many animal welfare organizations. Geese are not harmed by the practice and will continue with their annual life cycle.”

The program continues until mid-May.

Hagmeier said the program’s key to success is finding and accessing new nests.

“The public is asked to report lone geese, pairs of geese, or nest locations on private or public land by emailing coordinator@okanagangooseplan.com or calling 1-877-943-3209. While reporting these sightings is welcomed, the public is asked to keep away from nests and to not touch eggs.”

Organizers say the program is responsible for preventing the goose population (an estimated 2,500 birds) from growing out of control. In the program’s 16 years of addling, more than 21,000 eggs have been addled, equating to an estimated 11,000 – 16,000 geese not entering the population, not including the thousands of offspring that could have hatched over the years.

Hagmeier said the initiative only affects non-migratory geese.

“These Canada geese were relocated here from other parts of Canada and the U.S. as part of controlled introduction programs and they would not be nesting in this region naturally,” Hagmeier said

In addition to addling, the OVGMP assists communities through actions such as public education, population monitoring, habitat modification, and working with regulatory agencies to ensure OVGMP management goals align with federal and provincial objectives.

The OVGMP is a partnership between City of Vernon, Regional District of North Okanagan, District of Coldstream, District of Lake Country, Central Okanagan Regional District, City of Kelowna, Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen, City of West Kelowna, Westbank First Nation, City of Penticton, Town of Osoyoos, Town of Oliver, District of Peachland, and District of Summerland.

More information about the program is available at okanagangooseplan.com.