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The population of <br />Canada geese <br />has increased <br />20 -fold in the last <br />20 years, and the <br />problem continues to worsen, according to <br />Mark Tobin, manager of the United States <br />Department of Agriculture Wildlife Research <br />Center's Bird Research Program. <br />More geese, more problems <br />"In recent years, we've seen Canada geese <br />establishing residence in the northern U.S. <br />instead of migrating to winter grounds. The <br />sheer magnitude of the population and the <br />problems being caused are of particular <br />concern," he says. <br />Also in this <br />Special <br />Report: <br />• What's HOT in <br />bird control <br />• Adding geese to <br />bird program is no <br />easy task <br />• Training academy <br />offers opportunity <br />for pest industry <br />• Goose <br />management: <br />What's in a <br />contract? <br />• Lasers: the new <br />buzz in bird <br />management <br />Dr. James Cooper, associate professor emeritus at the University of <br />Minnesota, says the changing of North America into a more urban and <br />agricultural landscape and the regulatory protection the geese receive <br />have created a perfect habitat for the geese to thrive into the millions and <br />wreak havoc. <br />Cooper says common problems being created by the overabundance of <br />geese include: excessive droppings; shoreline degradation; acting as a <br />vector to adversely affect water quality; agricultural and turf damage; and <br />safety threats to both humans and aircraft. <br />Despite the magnitude of the problem, bird management professionals <br />7 <br />