The following is my Letter to the Editor, printed recently in a Seattle area paper…
Dear Editor,
Whenever I read an article like “Canadian geese euthanized at Lake Sammamish State Park” (Aug.7, 2013) I’m appalled by how indifferently someone can report on the extermination of entire families of intelligent, social animals. If people knew geese as personally as I do, they would surely think the species every bit as worthy of respect as our own.
I’ve watched them go through their courtship and nest-building routines, seen a gander loyally guarding his mate while she dutifully incubated her eggs, day and night, throughout windstorms and heavy snowfalls during the fickle Montana spring and witnessed with delight the hatching and rearing of their precious chicks.
The goose situation is all the more maddening since, as with so many other so-called wildlife “problems,” it was brought on by humans themselves. The old growth forests that once grew to the water’s edge were felled years ago; shrubs like salmonberry or huckleberry as well as riparian vegetation that used to house frogs and provided cover for fish have been torn out and replaced with concrete bulkheads, backfill and manicured lawn grass.
The end result of this rampant manipulation is a strange new world, inhospitable for all but the most grass-loving of creatures. And it just so happens that geese, like humans, love mowed lawns. But rather than calling in the death-squad from “Wildlife Services” to fire up their gas chambers, why not try replacing some of the acres of grass with native vegetation? I guarantee the geese will move on to greener pastures.
Jim Robertson
Text and Wildlife Photography ©Jim Robertson, 2013
Exposing the Big Game 
Perfect.
Thanks Gary
Beautifully written, I love geese myself I got a video of one I took which looks like women nagging at hubby lol. I hope they opt for the greener pasture ❤
Thank you Christian.
I used to work at a nursery that had a large pond and a pair of resident geese. Each year when the goslings hatched, it was wonderful watching them grow and watching the parents tending to them. There was always one gosling that would misbehave and that one was promptly, gently reprimanded, unlike human children nowadays. As the goslings grew, the parents had a daily routine. I loved when they got to flying lessons, although it was also sad, knowing the goslings would be leaving soon, however, their parents had worked hard to ensure the goslings would be able to leave the nest, which is how good parents raise their children. Geese are not the pests, humans are, because of the callous way they treat nature.
Exactly right Tara. You were blessed to have a chance to get to know geese so well and see how they teach their young everything they need to know.
Thank you Jim, for being the voice for wildlife they are blessed to have your caring and talent. I do hope the Editor of the Issaquah has the integrity to print your letter.
Thanks Nancy, they printed the letter earlier last week.
Glad to hear that Jim. Your words will shine a light on the geese and educate people on a better way to live with wildlife.
Great Letter. I also like the title and photo.
Thanks Elizabeth, glad you like the letter and the photo. The newspaper came up with the title; I would have put quote marks around the word “problem.”
it is so great your terrific letter got published
Thanks Beth, I hope it makes a few people reconsider their selfish hatred of geese.
Wonderful letter, Jim. I watch the geese flying over my place in formation every day, honking away the whole time, and it fills me with joy. People’s indifference towards other species is frightening.
Thanks Heather.
http://sammamish.patch.com/groups/politics-and-elections/p/90-geese-killed-at-lake-sammamish-state-parkwhats-the-humane-solution
The Sammamish Patch ran a piece on the Geese, and I got into a written brawl in the comments. I saw your letter in the Reporter, Jim, thought “Wow! Great letter”, but didn’t make the connection on the name.
Thanks for the link, and for speaking up for the geese.
I have offered them free geese control but they don’t want it
http://www.geesebusters.com
Yes, I heard they turned it down, for some reason. They’d rather complain, and have them gassed by Wildlife “Services” I guess.
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