Remote control cars provide solution to Mooney’s Bay geese problems

This is not your average wild goose chase!

Read on to find out how the Parks Maintenance team has found a new way to deter geese from Mooney’s Bay Beach. But we will give you a hint:

Honk! Honk!

Why we need to moderate the presence of geese

Manicured parks, lawns, golf courses, bordering ponds and waterfront areas all provide ideal grazing habitats for geese. An adult goose eats up to 1.8 kilograms or four pounds of grass and drops up to 0.9 kilograms or two pounds of fecal matter daily.

While a natural byproduct of any creature, an excessive presence of goose poop can make parks and public spaces unusable. The mosaic of green droppings can contain bacteria and parasites that can be harmful to humans and beloved pets alike.

Left unchecked, urban goose populations can double in size every few years. Geese typically lay from three to six eggs each year and can live as long as 24 years. As numbers increase, it creates safety hazards and can lead to habitat degradation. Their excrement may reduce water quality, and overgrazing can cause damage to grassy areas.

Deterrence tactics: from drones to sand cars

To protect the public from health risks caused by goose droppings, Parks Maintenance staff already deploy drones to deter geese in some public spaces. But, Mooney’s Bay Beach is too close to the airport to allow drone use. Hence, the Traxxas Pro Scale Sand Car was called into action!

The Traxxas Pro Scale Sand Car is a remote-control vehicle, weighing in at almost 10 kilograms and just over 81 centimeters long. It’s proven to be an ideal solution to navigate the unique terrain at Mooney’s Bay and moderate the presence of geese without harming them.

Leave it to the professionals

Starting on July 25, highly-trained staff have been using the car for an hour per day throughout the summer. The geese are directed away from major lanes or paths that are used by cyclists or pedestrians. The sand car will be operated at a reasonable speed to ensure the safety of people and geese alike.

Residents are advised not to engage in deterring geese with their own remote or toy cars . Leave the management of geese to the experts in Parks Maintenance at the City of Ottawa. To learn more about Canada geese in urban areas, go to Other animals | City of Ottawa.

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