The Ministry of Defense of Canada issued instructions to employees on how to behave when meeting with geese
The Canadian Ministry of Defense has developed a manual for its employees on the rules of conduct when meeting geese. About this informs Ottawa Citizen.
This decision was made due to the fact that the birds have settled en masse on the territory of the department in Ottawa. The situation required an urgent response, because during the spring egg-laying period, geese began to show aggression towards people. The directive warns both military and civilian workers against trying to feed or touch the geese, as doing so could trigger an aggressive response from the birds.
“If employees encounter a goose that is showing aggression, stay calm and do not panic. Try to move away slowly and quietly without turning your back to the goose. Maintain eye contact as you back away. If the goose lunges or hisses, raise your arms to appear larger and back away slowly.” – it is stated in the directive.
The Toronto Wildlife Center noted that attacks by Canada geese on people or cars usually indicate the presence of a nest nearby. The Carling campus is located in Ottawa’s green belt, where geese are actively nesting. Known for their aggressive behavior when defending their nests, these birds also often choose busy urban areas to nest near people and traffic, according to the center.
