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Foster City adopts three‑year, nonlethal Canada goose management pilot
Summary
Council accepted an update and adopted the city’s integrated adaptive Canada Goose Management Plan pilot, which includes camera monitoring, hazing trials, limited banding and GPS‑collaring to inform future nonlethal management.
The Foster City Council adopted an adaptive, nonlethal three‑year Canada goose management pilot after a staff presentation and an update from Wildlife Innovations consultant Dan Beitman. The program focuses on surveillance, baseline surveys, hazing and deterrence trials, and targeted banding and GPS collaring to track goose movements.
What was presented: The consultant said staff and the contractor had redeployed 12 cameras across seven priority parks, completed nearly 739 point‑count surveys and nearly 1,500 transect surveys to create baseline data. Between Dec. 29–31 the team captured and banded seven geese and deployed GPS transmitters; one collar was later recovered after a collared bird was taken legally by a hunter and the device retrieved.
Management methods and early results: The pilot uses a toolbox of nonlethal tools — drones (with sound testing), remote‑controlled boats for water hazing, lasers (land only), audio deterrents and temporary habitat modifications. Early results indicated drones are less effective on water but remote‑controlled boats and lasers show promise for particular situations.
Public reporting and next steps: Staff and the consultant said they are preparing nest‑identification materials for the city website and plan to coordinate reporting (potentially via SeeClickFix). The consultant will deploy additional GPS collars during the May–June molt period. Council adopted the plan and directed staff to continue implementation and public outreach.
