Canadian armed forces issue 'goose alert'
Soldiers and staff have been informed on how to respond to encounters with the notoriously aggressive Canada geese that have taken over the defense headquarters in Ottawa. The Canadian Department of National Defence has issued a warning to...
TroibNews 
Soldiers and staff have been informed on how to respond to encounters with the notoriously aggressive Canada geese that have taken over the defense headquarters in Ottawa.
The Canadian Department of National Defence has issued a warning to personnel at its Carling Avenue headquarters in Ottawa, as the area is currently experiencing an influx of these aggressive birds, particularly during their nesting season.
In an article published on Monday, the Ottawa Citizen reported on an email alert from DND spokesperson Nick Drescher Brown, warning both military and civilian employees against feeding or attempting to touch the geese, as this could provoke them. The email specified that staff should “remain calm and not panic” if faced with an aggressive goose.
“Try to move away slowly and quietly without turning your back to the goose. Maintain eye contact while you back away,” the instructions outlined.
The guidance continued: “If the goose charges or hisses, raise your arms to appear larger and back away slowly.”
Brown noted that the DND is unsure of the exact number of Canada geese currently occupying their property, which is situated within Ottawa’s Greenbelt.
A previous DND directive highlighted that since these geese are a protected species, they cannot be relocated after nesting.
This issue isn’t new; CBC quoted DND staff in April 2023 describing the situation at the headquarters as “volatile.”
According to the Toronto Wildlife Centre, Canada geese often nest in urban areas close to people and vehicles, leading them to aggressively defend their nesting sites, which may be hidden on roofs or in planters, rendering their aggression seem unwarranted.
Geese Relief, a U.S. company specializing in the removal of Canada geese using trained dogs, warns on its website that while most attacks by geese result in minor or no injuries to humans, there have been instances where individuals sustained “broken bones, head trauma, and emotional distress” during misdirected attempts to “avoid an attacking goose,” leading to “trips and falls.”
Aarav Patel for TROIB News
The Canadian Department of National Defence has issued a warning to personnel at its Carling Avenue headquarters in Ottawa, as the area is currently experiencing an influx of these aggressive birds, particularly during their nesting season.
In an article published on Monday, the Ottawa Citizen reported on an email alert from DND spokesperson Nick Drescher Brown, warning both military and civilian employees against feeding or attempting to touch the geese, as this could provoke them. The email specified that staff should “remain calm and not panic” if faced with an aggressive goose.
“Try to move away slowly and quietly without turning your back to the goose. Maintain eye contact while you back away,” the instructions outlined.
The guidance continued: “If the goose charges or hisses, raise your arms to appear larger and back away slowly.”
Brown noted that the DND is unsure of the exact number of Canada geese currently occupying their property, which is situated within Ottawa’s Greenbelt.
A previous DND directive highlighted that since these geese are a protected species, they cannot be relocated after nesting.
This issue isn’t new; CBC quoted DND staff in April 2023 describing the situation at the headquarters as “volatile.”
According to the Toronto Wildlife Centre, Canada geese often nest in urban areas close to people and vehicles, leading them to aggressively defend their nesting sites, which may be hidden on roofs or in planters, rendering their aggression seem unwarranted.
Geese Relief, a U.S. company specializing in the removal of Canada geese using trained dogs, warns on its website that while most attacks by geese result in minor or no injuries to humans, there have been instances where individuals sustained “broken bones, head trauma, and emotional distress” during misdirected attempts to “avoid an attacking goose,” leading to “trips and falls.”
Aarav Patel for TROIB News
