For the twelfth year straight, the Okanagan Valley Goose Management Program is aiming to keep the explosive growth of the goose population under control.
To do so, they use a Human-Society-approved method of either shaking goose eggs or coating them with non-toxic corn oil before they can incubate, which prevents them from hatching.
The eggs are then returned to the nests, while the adults are not directly affected.
Because these geese don’t migrate and have adapted so well to this environment, their population can spike out of control.
A 2017 study revealed that the goose population everywhere else in BC has been growing at a rate of 16%. If left unchecked, that can lead to the total number of geese doubling every five years.
Since its inception, the egg addling program has humanely prevented 11,000 eggs from hatching, and the nesting population of geese in the Okanagan has steadied out at 2500.
Anyone who sees a goose nest on public or private property is asked to not approach it, and to instead contact the OVGMP by emailing coordinator@okanagangooseplan.com or calling 1-877-943-3209.