Protestors Continue Fight To Stop Gassing Of Geese At Somerset County Park

PEAPACK-GLADSTONE, NJ — The fate of the lives of Canadian geese at Liberty Park in Peapack and Gladstone may still be in limbo.

A group of activists called "Save the Peapack-Gladstone Liberty Park Geese" are holding another protest at Liberty Park on Thursday, June 6 at 6 p.m. ahead of the Borough's Council meeting at 7 p.m.

"The mayor has agreed to allow the geese to be transported and not gassed, but he still has not canceled the USDA kill contract," said Jennifer Douglas with Save the Peapack-Gladstone Liberty Park Geese. "We must hold the mayor to his word and demand immediate action to cancel the USDA contract and commit to relocating the geese."

Mayor Mark Corigliano did not immediately respond to Patch's request for comment.

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.

The latest contract includes 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 Council President John Sweeney to Patch previously.

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.

Two weeks ago the group reached out to Mike Innello from North Jersey Drone Shots for help. On May 23, he successfully used drones to chase away the geese from the park. Read More: Geese On Death Row Saved From Being Gassed At Somerset County Park: Video

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.

Despite the geese being moved, the group wants to hold a protest on June 6 to make sure the contract agreed to on March 5 is canceled.

"This is our last chance to save these geese," said Burns. "We have the sanctuary ready and the community's support. All we need is for the mayor to act on his words and cancel the USDA contract."

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