What’s bad for the goose is bad for your shoes

REGINA — People who like to go for a stroll in Regina’s Wascana Park are being advised that if they want to avoid stepping in goose poop, they should quit giving unhealthy snacks to the birds.

Ecologist Sarah Romuld said tossing bread crumbs, popcorn or cheese snacks to hundreds of Canada geese that nest in the park each year speeds up the birds’ growth — which means more excrement.

It’s estimated that nesting geese in the park drop more than 200 kilograms of waste there every day.

On average, adult geese excrete upwards of 900 grams per 24-hour period.

Romuld said human snacks also make the birds heavier and longer, which puts stress on the joints that hold their wings to their bodies.

She said the park has enough vegetation for geese to eat without messy snacks.