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Cologne teams up with zoo to fight invasive species invasion
Cologne has launched a new project as part of its fight against invasive species of geese in the municipality.
City authorities headed by Mayor of Cologne Henriette Reker pointed out that the goal of the project is to reduce populations of invasive species of geese.
Cologne has hired an external expert to find breeding sites of Egyptian and Canadian geese and remove all but one egg from clutches. City authorities pointed out that eggs are disposed of in line with regulations and are currently being made available to the Cologne Zoo.
The city drew up its population management plan for waters in the municipality and coordinated all measures with state authorities for environmental protection.
Cologne noted that approximately 600 Canadian and 70 Egyptian geese were found in ponds, canals and green areas, stressing that populations have been present for years.
City authorities called on residents not to feed geese and other animals in natural areas, warning that populations of invasive species have increased largely due to extensive feeding.
Cologne pointed out that populations of invasive geese species have dropped since city authorities introduced a ban on the feeding of wild animals, but stressed that more needs to be done to address the problem.
Invasive species of geese have very few natural predators in Cologne, which makes the population control project necessary.
(Photo credit: Barth Bailey / Unsplash)
