Egyptian geese at Lake Eisenbach: Citizens demand measures against the plague!

Egyptian geese at Lake Eisenbach: Citizens demand measures against the plague!

At Lake Eisenbach in Alfdorf, an increasing population of Egyptian geese is causing discontent among citizens. At the last council meeting, the local council, in particular Dr. Wolfgang Hipp, pointed out the problem. Bathers complain about the geese's droppings, which can cause hygiene problems. Elisa Raßmus from the district office gives several reasons why Egyptian geese are considered problematic in water bodies: on the one hand, the hygienic risks caused by the droppings, on the other hand, the displacement of native waterfowl and, last but not least, the aggressive behavior of the geese during the breeding season from March to July. She advises bathers to keep their distance and not to provoke the animals. Gmünder Tagespost also points out that there are currently no precise figures on the Egyptian goose population at Lake Eisenbach.

Egyptian geese have become widespread in the Baden-Württemberg region. Mayor Ronald Krötz is planning discussions with the district office about the possibility of shooting the animals. There is currently a closed season for adult Egyptian geese until August 1st, except in cases with special permission. However, hunting young animals is permitted all year round outside of the general closed season, which could help regulate the population.

Alternative solutions

In addition to the possibility of shooting, the community is also considering other measures. Targeted deterrence by specially trained dogs is being discussed as an alternative. This measure could help regulate the geese population without resorting to drastic measures.

Additionally, pets must be kept away from the lake. The mayor calls for regular inspections by the security service to prevent unwanted activities. The local council also mentioned an incident with a rider who allowed her horse to bathe in Lake Eisenbach, which further complicates the situation.

The return of the Egyptian geese

A similar picture can be seen at the Prinzenteich in Eisenach, where a pair of Egyptian geese parents were spotted with their seven young. This invasive animal species has been in Germany for several years and is spreading rapidly because it has hardly any natural enemies. Their presence poses a threat to the native mallard ducks that are native to the area. The city imposed a ban on feeding the Egyptian geese after promising deterrent measures led to the animals being driven away last year. Tag24 reports that the Egyptian geese have returned and have already attacked clutches of mallards and endangered their young.

The uncontrolled spread of the Egyptian goose can endanger the biological balance of the waters in the long term, which is why careful regulation of the population is necessary. However, the aggressive attitude of the parents makes direct removal of the clutches not only complicated but also dangerous for the people involved. The problem of the Egyptian goose population is therefore a current issue for both places and requires diverse management.