On-line petition in a flap over destruction of goose eggs

A Manitobawoman has started an on-line petition to prevent Canada goose eggs from being destroyed.

Marianne Curtis said she was outraged when she heard about efforts to control the goose population by destroying eggs from nests along Kenaston Boulevard.

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Volunteers with the Urban Goose Working Group are collecting the eggs in an effort to cut down on vehicle accidents related to the birds, such as when they walk into traffic.

Curtis, who lives in Ile-des-Chenes, said her petition, which asks officials to limit the cull and explore alternatives to taking the eggs, has already garnered a thousand signatures.

Each signature, she said, triggers an email to stakeholders involved in the cull, including the mayor and Environment Canada.

Curtis admits she gets emotional about the issue because she's watched mother geese tend to their young as she drives into the city to work each day.

"Don't tell me geese don't know. They're protective. They're like a bunch of nannies," she said. "When you watch a dozen geese with a hundred little ones cross across Lag [Lagimodiere Blvd.] there, sure you have to wait ten minutes, but it's cute to see."

Curtis said the number of signatures on her petition show she's not the only one upset. She said decision-makers should take notice.

"It's to see that other people are standing up. Like, everybody understands it, but where do we stop with this? I just think it's absolutely ridiculous. I'm just glad to see other people feel the same way," she said.

Curtis agreedthere are drawbacks to the city's large goose population, from the amount of waste the birds create to the traffic hazards.

But she said there's got to be a better way to control the population.

"It's part of life, it's part of being Winnipeg and I hate to say this but it's part of what makes us different and cool," she said.