Just when activists had nearly lost all hope, a friendly reporter confirmed that geese in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, at risk of being killed would be spared this year and next. The goose-killing contract was scrapped so the “Bloomsburg 40” geese are finally safe at last! Thanks to your support, the goslings in the lagoon now will grow up into beautiful geese and accompany their parents in flight.

“I can honestly tell you this was not an outcome that I ever expected. It was better than anything I could have imagined,” said Dawn Moore of Save the Geese Bloomsburg. “Every email sent and every phone call made by In Defense of Animals’ supporters helped to save these geese.”

In a surprise maneuver, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) actually pulled out of the deal! The agency removed the roundup option in its contract with the Bloomsburg Town Council for 2022, which had yet to be signed. A USDA representative stated in an email to the Bloomsburg Town Council, “After speaking with my direct supervisor, state director, and staff with our legislative and public affairs office, Wildlife Services has decided that it is in everyone’s best interest to postpone conducting a roundup in Bloomsburg town park until June 2023.”

Now the goose-killing contract is effectively scrapped! At the following council meeting, the Bloomsburg Councilmembers unanimously voted not to kill the geese in 2023 either. Council members were extremely distressed by more than 14,000 emails they received from In Defense of Animals’ supporters and were annoyed by the disruptive and constant phone calls. Going forward, Save the Geese Bloomsburg has a chance to work with the town council on non-lethal methods to resolve conflicts with geese. 

“In Defense of Animals’ National Goose Protection Coalition stepped in to help us with this battle the very day we called for assistance and they have been there with us every single step of the way,” continued Moore. “We never felt alone in this battle thanks to IDA. We were given insights into the USDA’s processes and procedures, which were invaluable to us. We were coached and guided through every step of this process. It was very much a team effort. They listened to the specifics of our story and together we made plans each step of the way.”

Geese and goslings are usually rounded up and killed while they are molting and caring for their babies in June and July. Wildlife Services often schedules goose massacres before July 4 to clear the parks of geese and their poop for this national holiday. 

Are geese in danger in your community? How can you find out either way? If you’re unsure or you know your community’s geese are in danger, contact us at geese@idausa.org and visit our National Goose Protection Coalition’s website for helpful tips to save geese at www.stopgooseabuse.org.

Innocent geese and goslings are being slaughtered across the country for natural behaviors like pooping and protecting their young. Help us save more geese by making a donation today!