The effectiveness of a long-term Canada goose relocation program in Nevada

Abstract

Author(s): Hall, Thomas C.; Groninger, Paige | Abstract: The resident Canada goose (Branta canadensis) population in Truckee Meadows (TM) increased in the 1980s from a few hundred to an estimated 1,200 by 1988. Concern arose after two incidents in which aircraft from Reno/Tahoe International Airport hit resident geese. As a result of a FAA mandate, a multi-agency task force led by USDA APHIS Wildlife Services was developed to address the problem. As a result of a recommendation from the task force, an annual Canada goose round-up with subsequent relocation was started in 1989 and has continued through 2001. Of the 7,954 geese initially captured, 3,081 (39%) were recovered (death, recapture, sighting) at a later date at least once. Of the 11,397 captures (newly banded and recaptured geese), 5,269 were released at the capture site and 6,128 were relocated. In addition, 347 geese were captured and released in TM in 1986-87 for a study conducted by the Nevada Division of Wildlife (NDOW). During the first few years of the program, juveniles and some adults captured in TM were relocated. Since 1997, all geese captured have been relocated. Of the geese released at the capture site prior to 2001, 59.6% of the adults and 40.6% of the juveniles were recovered at least once in TM. Comparatively, only 21.2% of the first-time relocated adults and 3.5% of the relocated juveniles have returned to TM, a significant difference for both (Pl.0001). Second-time released and relocated adults were recovered a third time in TM at 68.5% and 32.8% (Pl.0001). However, adults released or relocated 3 or more times have been recovered similarly in TM at 69.5% and 71.0% (P=.846). Relocated geese are subject to higher hunting mortality by about 8% (Pl.0001); hunting as a management tool appears to have helped reduce the returning population. As a result of the relocation program, the population in TM has declined from a high of about 2,000 to 400 at the same 10 sites. The current population throughout TM is about 800. We conclude that the relocation program has been effective in reducing the Canada goose population in TM, except that relocating geese three or more times is not worthwhile.