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MEDIA RELEASE: Michigan Cancels Goose Gassing After Receiving Pressure From Advocates

MEDIA RELEASE: Michigan Cancels Goose Gassing After Receiving Pressure From Advocates

DETROIT, Mich. (May 9, 2025) — In a major win for Canada geese and their defenders, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has announced it will pause its controversial goose-killing program and will not issue any permits for the carbon dioxide gassing of geese this year. The decision follows a high-profile campaign led by In Defense of Animals and other advocates urging the state to adopt humane, non-lethal alternatives.

The DNR confirmed that while the program is paused it will instead focus on researching alternative non-lethal solutions for addressing human-goose conflicts. The move comes after sustained public pressure and opposition to previous roundups and gassings — including at Belle Isle Park and Lake Sherwood, where entire goose families were killed in past years under state-issued permits.

“This is a hard-won victory for both geese and the compassionate Michiganders who spoke out for them,” said Katie Nolan, Wild Animals Campaigner for In Defense of Animals. “Pausing this program sets an important precedent by showing that there’s a better way to handle conflicts with wild animals. Michigan’s decision has the chance to inspire more humane, thoughtful approaches across the country, not just for geese but for all wild animals.”

In Defense of Animals’ National Goose Protection Coalition and local advocates launched a multi-pronged campaign to oppose the killings, including a public alert that mobilized thousands, a high-visibility billboard near I-96, urging Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to “Don’t Gas Geese” and a planned protest — complete with a giant goose costume — that has now been called off in light of the announcement. In Defense of Animals also hosted a well-attended webinar to promote humane alternatives and spotlight overlooked pollution sources like septic leakage and agricultural runoff, which geese are too often wrongly blamed for.

“This is proof that grassroots activism works,” said Karen Stamper, local advocate and organizer. “Our communities showed up — people spoke out, took action, and rallied together to support the geese. And the DNR listened to us!”

Over 1,000 emails were sent to officials urging them to stop the killings. With the program now paused, advocates are celebrating this victory — but they’re also staying alert. Advocates say the fight isn’t over until humane, long-term solutions are permanently adopted and the state commits to coexistence with geese rather than conflict.

 

### NOTES ###

 

Protect Our Geese, Protect Our Communities webinar about MI goose killing plans and alternative solutions: https://youtu.be/v0xu7lssrTw

Resources from the webinar including speaker contacts and powerpoint presentations  

Goose advocacy resources: www.stopgooseabuse.org

Action alert to speak out for Michigan’s geese: www.idausa.org/gas 

 

Contacts: 

Lisa Levinson, Campaigns Director, lisa@idausa.org, (215) 620-2130 

Katie Nolan, Wild Animal Campaign Specialist, katie@idausa.org, ‪(601) 207-0076

Karen Stamper, karenstamper2022@gmail.com, (248) 912-5042‬


In Defense of Animals is an international animal protection organization with over 250,000 supporters and a history of defending animals, humans, and the environment, through education and campaigns as well as hands-on rescue facilities in India, South Korea, California, and rural Mississippi. www.idausa.org/geese


The National Goose Protection Coalition is a network of individuals and organizations dedicated to ending lethal goose roundups and promoting humane coexistence strategies. The coalition offers resources such as expert mentorship, educational presentations, and advocacy tools to support non-lethal solutions. Their efforts focus on raising awareness about goose behavior, debunking myths, and actively preventing inhumane culling practices. www.stopgooseabuse.org

 


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