USDA kills 550 geese at request of neighborhood’s HOA because of overpopulation

MADISON, Ala. (WAFF/Gray News) — More than 500 geese were killed this week as part of a planned cull to address an overpopulation problem in a neighborhood in Alabama.

Heritage Plantation HOA leaders said the USDA captured and killed 550 geese on the property Tuesday night.

The HOA board said it received approval to euthanize the geese after the population reached five times the safe threshold recommended by the USDA.

The HOA board said nine USDA agents carried out the operation and about seven geese flew away and avoided capture. The board said no ducks or swans were taken.

According to the board, USDA wildlife biologists told them it was the largest cull they had ever participated in and said they were “shocked” that residents had been living with the number of geese for so long.

The board said it had previously attempted nonlethal options and cited health concerns, including people getting sick, as well as dogs, swans and 16 geese dying in the past year because of geese that had avian flu.

Death threats made over decision

The board said the USDA did not provide an advance date or time for the cull because of threats of violence made against agents. HOA board members also previously received death threats over the decision, prompting investigations by the FBI and Madison Police Department.

Board members said they were bombarded with hundreds of online death threats, some sent directly to their emails or social media accounts. Their home addresses were also posted online.

Multiple protests have also taken place.

What happens next

Going forward, the board said the USDA recommended three main steps to prevent overpopulation:

• Strict “no feeding” enforcement: The board said the USDA told them feeding wildlife is against the law. The HOA said it plans to send a formal notice that feeding wildlife on or around HOA property will be considered a violation of Heritage Plantation covenants, with violations and fines possible.
• Harassing geese to discourage them from staying: The board encouraged residents to regularly scare geese away from common areas, citing examples provided by the USDA, such as using green laser pointers, remote-control boats, running them off, or allowing dogs on long leashes to chase them.
• Continuing egg oiling: The board said it will continue coating eggs found on the property in vegetable oil, which deprives the embryo of oxygen and prevents it from developing further.

The board said additional mitigation options, including shoreline modification of its pond, are being reviewed.

The HOA asked residents to help with enforcement and deterrence efforts.

“The board needs our residents’ help! Without their cooperation, we will find ourselves in this same situation again years down the road, and we don’t want that!” the HOA’s statement read.