Fake Coyotes Used to Scare Real Geese Off Beach

Byline: Associated Press

HOWELL, Mich. (AP) — A Michigan community that is fed up with goose droppings fouling a popular beach is hoping that fake coyotes will encourage the birds to land elsewhere.

The Livingston County Daily Press & Argus of Howell and radio station WHMI-FM reported that the beach on Thompson Lake at Howell City Park remained closed through the end of summer because of elevated E. coli bacteria levels. The beach was initially shut down last month — and goose poop was blamed.

Debbie Mikula, director of the Howell Area Parks and Recreation Authority, said that the use of fake coyotes has been successful in keeping the birds away. The coyote decoys are being moved at night to trick the geese into thinking they’re real.

The hope is that the beach, about 45 miles northwest of Detroit, will reopen next year — free of geese and goose poop.

Comments

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *