Foster City to tackle geese poop problem with drones, lasers and dogs

FOSTER CITY, Calif. (KGO) -- Gaggles of geese have been creating a poop problem at several Foster City parks for years.

There was so much of it in 2022, it prompted a health hazard warning and a plan to kill 100 birds. But after public pressure last year, Foster City approved a new non-lethal plan, which is set to go into effect this month.

Among the solutions--using drones, lasers, and balloons.

In Foster City at Catamaran Park, Canada geese have left their mark.

"Normally just all up on the grass, they're everywhere," Foster City resident Nina Paligan said.

"Their droppings have been all over, and dogs are trying to eat it. So, it's been kind of a serious problem," dog owner Julie Gainsley said.

PREVIOUS: Foster City moves forward on plan to chase away Canada geese, change some park areas

The poop problem adds up fast every day.

"400 pounds is at least several trash cans worth," said Foster City Park and Recreation Director Derek Schweigart. "That's how much that we get every day when the geese are present."

Last December, Foster City Council approved taking a non-lethal approach to the goose problem.

The $400,000 pilot project will include the use of drones, dogs, and lasers to drive the birds away.

"Dogs, drones and lasers and most importantly, habitat modification and also education of the public," Schweigart said. "Stop feeding the geese. That's a direct impact that draws the geese here."

Gainsley is open to any solution that will keep the birds and the poop away.

"Drones, lasers, and dogs-all of it. I mean it's an experiment I guess to whatever would work," she said.

"I don't know how drones would work. I don't know how lasers would work. I do know they are afraid of dogs," Paligan said.

Schweigart explains part of the plan is to scare the birds off.

"Any number of dogs will be used to chase the geese, they're trained, they're fully trained," he said. "Lasers is another thing. It's very distracting to the geese. It's something that will move them typically. There will be drones that can chase them in the water, making it less attractive for them to want to be there."

City leaders say hazing the birds along with habitat modification -- removing the geese's food source -- will take some time.

Despite this, many hope it's a humane way to keep the geese from coming back.