Gray geese in Braunschweig: concerns about yellow neck rings grow!

Gray geese in Braunschweig: concerns about yellow neck rings grow!

Braunschweig, Deutschland - In Braunschweig, the discussions about the gray geese living there with their striking yellow neck rings are in full swing. These geese, which have been observed in the city's parks for about two years, have an exciting story: until the 1960s they were almost extinct in Lower Saxony. Thanks to an intensive protection program and a targeted resettlement, the population has recovered and is now a familiar sight in urban green areas. According to News38 , the yellow neck rings are part of a European research project, which is the movements of these birds Followed for years.

Not all of Braunschweig's residents are enthusiastic about these markings. Critics express concerns that these rings could violate the skin of the geese and damage the plumage. In a Facebook group, the topic is heavily discussed; Some members find the rings uncomfortable and superfluous. According to reports, individual geese have already tried to get rid of the rings, and there is even an alarming claim of a goose that has strangled. Scientists, on the other hand, defend the neck rings. They emphasize that they are constructed in such a way that they give the geese enough freedom of movement and do not cause sustainable impairments.

research and protection programs

The upswing of the gray geese in Lower Saxony is the result of several research projects that deal with ecology and hiking behavior of these birds. At the same time [Blessgans] (https://www.blessgans.de/details?tx_news_pi1%5Baction%5D=detail&tx_news_pi 1%5BController%5D = news & tx_news_pi1%5Bnews%5d = 36 & chash = 0A5244312F24B5D1B7A31F7E25) A joint research project of the Tiho Hannover, IWWR and IFV launched to collect more detailed data about the Lower Saxony geese species. The work of this project is aimed at examining the train behavior, the populations and the development of gray goose.

Another aspect is that geese in urban environments are increasingly present. Actually historical home regions such as Central Europe offer protected habitats in cities such as Braunschweig from natural enemies and hunting. However, this also leads to challenges, such as impact damage and the impairment of vegetation in parks. A master thesis carried out in the botanical garden of the University of Hamburg examines the ecological effects and the spatial use of gray geese and Canada shapes. Such studies could help develop management strategies in order to minimize conflicts between people and nature, as reported on the website of the botanical garden ( Botanischer Garden Hamburg ).

participation in research

It remains to be seen how the debate about the geese and its striking neck rings will develop in Braunschweig. One thing is clear: the geese are not only part of urban life, but also an exciting research object that reflects the complex relationships between nature and urban space.