Geese On Death Row Saved From Being Gassed At Somerset County Park: Video

PEAPACK/GLADSTONE, NJ — Canadian Geese slated to be rounded up and euthanized at Liberty Park have been saved after activists stepped up to their rescue. (Watch a video of the drone rescue below)

The group "Save the Peapack-Gladstone Liberty Park Geese" reached out to Mike Innello from North Jersey Drone Shots for help. On Thursday, he successfully used drones to chase away the geese from the park. The approach was suggested by a Peapack-Gladstone resident Valerie Pawlowski.

"We believe this development is a significant step towards a humane and sustainable solution for the geese," said Jennifer Douglas with Save the Peapack-Gladstone Liberty Park Geese.

Video by Mike Innello from North Jersey Drone Shots:

Additionally, the town is planning to apply Flock Free deterrent to discourage them from returning. If they do return or remain in town, the group has found a sanctuary that will welcome them.

The Barnyard Sanctuary in Blairstown, led by founder Tamala Lester, has offered to welcome the geese.

"We would love to have the geese come and live on the sanctuary property," said Lester.

This initiative to save the geese came about after March 5 when the Peapack-Gladstone Borough Council voted to enter into an agreement with the United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service(APHIS) Wildlife Services(WS) for Canada Goose damage management services. Read More: Geese To Be Euthanized, Protest Planned At Somerset County Park

The Council had tried for many years to get rid of the geese who had become a nuisance at the park.

"With respect to the decision to euthanize the geese, it was not made lightly. I have been on the borough council for the last 6 years. I was also on the council for 12 years beginning in 2001. The geese have been a problem during all of those years," said Council President John Sweeney to Patch.

In 2006, the Council first hired Geese Police with dogs to try and curb invasive population which continues to grow.

Since then, the Council has also tried the use of flashing lights for restless nights, goose nest removal, and spraying a goose repellant.

The latest contract would have included addling the eggs and then during molting the geese would be rounded up and humanely euthanized.

"While no one celebrates the culling, the USDA has represented that carbon dioxide gas is not cruel. Research on birds, as opposed to mammals, indicates that poultry lose consciousness in 21-30 seconds," said Sweeney.

The movement to save the geese from being gassed was spearheaded by a group of women including Jackie Braun, Camille DiCarlo, MaryLynn Schiavi, and Jennifer Douglas, in collaboration with residents and community members.

"We are crying tears of joy now. Tamala Lester and Mike Inello are heroes. And we are immensely grateful to the mayor for his efforts and for supporting relocation of the geese," said the women.

If the geese do return in Peapack-Gladstone, they would require a certified wildlife handler to transport the geese to their new home at Barnyard Sanctuary. Anyone who may be able to help with this effort is asked to contact [email protected].

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