Today UM | Returning geese

April 16, 2024 —

The geese will return to Manitoba in the next few weeks. Several geese were found this week. As we welcome our migrating wildlife, the Physical Plant is preparing for a population of geese on the Fort Harry campus.

Many geese remain in and around Winnipeg because of their protected status in the urban environment and the availability of water, food, nesting sites and safety from predators.

Please be careful! Members of this unique campus community are fun and exciting, but be sure to do it from a distance. Geese can become aggressive when they feel threatened. However, with some consideration, geese and humans can share our campus without incident.

Operations and Maintenance covers planters to prevent nesting in high traffic areas; roof-nesting geese are provided with ramps to access their chicks when they hatch. When the geese start nesting, signs are posted at the nesting sites to warn people of their presence. Geese do not like to be surprised and can defend their territory.

The event is part of U of M's “Respect the Goose” education and awareness campaign for the goose population on the Fort Harry campus, with input from internal and external experts and other stakeholders.

For wildlife issues on our campuses, please contact Customer Service at ppwod (at) umanitoba (dot).

You can learn more by reading the Respect the Goose series.

You can also learn more about the Operations and Maintenance Wildlife Management Plan on the goose training webpage.

Staff at UM Today