Canada geese have become abundant in many urban parks and waterfronts, creating human-wildlife conflict while the geese themselves face welfare challenges from poisoning, egg oiling, and harassment.
Urban Canada geese live in close proximity to humans and face a range of welfare threats. Egg oiling programs, while non-lethal to adults, prevent successful reproduction. Habitat modification including reducing grass areas near water can shift geese away from conflict areas. Laser hazing causes stress without physical harm. Lethal control through roundup and slaughter has been used in some US cities creating public controversy. Canada geese that become accustomed to human feeding become dependent and more likely to approach aggressively during nesting. Individual geese form strong family bonds and care for goslings communally. Nesting females protect their nests fiercely and biting incidents during this period are often provoked by approaching too closely.