THURSDAYFEBRUARY 19, 2015
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GEESE IN PARKSVILLE
Is it time for a cull? Experts tell city council birds destroying estuary JOHN HARDING editor@pqbnews.com
Death sentences may be the only way to stop the destruction of the Englishman River estuary by Canada geese, Parksville city council heard this week. Tim Clermont and John Cooper of a group called the Guardians of Mid-Island Estuaries appeared before council Monday night, asking for $8,000 to continue their addling program and to develop a management strategy. The group was granted $25,000 by council three years ago for roughly the same tasks. Cooper said the the geese — not native to the area but introduced here in the 1970s — are “causing tremendous destruction of our local estuaries. The Englishman has been hit really hard.” Cooper explained, and showed photographic evidence, of the habitat destroyed by the geese and spoke about its effect on native species, including salmon. The addling program — basically shaking the eggs in their nests and making them sterile while often having to fend off angry geese parents — has had positive effects in other areas like the Little Qualicum River estuary, but not the Englishman. “I don’t understand how we can addle the amount of eggs we have and still have more and more geese in the (Englishman) estuary,” said Clermont. The Guardians said their goals are to get the goose population stabilized so they can work to restore the estuary. “It’s going to be difficult to bring the numbers down without some sort of a cull,” said Cooper, an ornithologist. See WHY DON’T WE CULL THEM, page A7
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Craig Bay residents are mystified about how four guinea fowl (native to sub-Saharan Africa) have recently adopted Craig Bay as their home. If you know anything about where they may have come from, call Daryl at 250-754-6440.
RESIDENTS FEAR FOR SAFETY OF AFRICAN BIRDS AND ARE LOOKING FOR ANSWERS
A fowl mystery in Craig Bay ‘They are lousy at flying but sure can run like the wind’ JOHN HARDING editor@pqbnews.com
Four friendly fowl, native to sub-Saharan Africa, are wandering around the Craig Bay neighbourhood, mystifying residents who are concerned for their safety. “Four guinea fowl have recently adopted Craig Bay as their home,”
Chris Chilton told The NEWS. “We’ve canvassed the farms in our immediate area, but none raised these birds. As these fowl can roam large distances, we’re hoping The NEWS might spread the word to the larger community.” Chilton said the colourful, oddlooking birds don’t run away from people. “They’re not skittish of people so we’re guessing they’re family pets
or being raised for other less-familial reasons,” said Chilton. “They are lousy at flying but sure can run like the wind.” “Although strangely cute, they chatter constantly and periodically shriek. Our community would like to see them get home before they become a predator’s easy meal.” If you own the birds, or have some information, you are asked to call Daryl, 250-754-6440.
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