Drones are beginning to be used for all sorts of things, from package delivery to surveillance. The council of Ottawa, however, has found another use for drones – chasing geese.
The goal is to clear the Canadian capital of the Canada goose by using a squadron of drones that will chase the geese out of the city. The reason for this is that the goose has become a highly controversial animal, largely because of the fact that each goose can produce as much as two pounds of poop per day.
While the bird can be a nuisance, others see it more as a national symbol, some suggesting that it should be the country's "national bird," much like the bald eagle in the U.S. In fact, the Royal Canadian Geographical Society is asking Canadians to vote for what bird they think should be the national bird.
Of course, the fact that the goose could soon be the Canadian national bird leaves Steve Wambolt, the head of the project, with a tough task. Wombolt first pitched the use of drones to the council for taking aerial shots of Ottawa.
However difficult convincing people that the goose needs to be chased out might be, he has one solid argument – the spotless grass in a park where the geese have already been chased out.
The drone itself is being called the Goosebuster, and it is 26 inches wide with six rotors in total. It also has been modified a little to be more threatening to geese, such as with speakers that play sounds of goose predators. It also has a coat of black paint because geese dislike the color black.
The Goosebuster could play an important role in the near future as the Canadian goose, which was once on the decline, is now rising in population. These geese thrive in places like golf courses and public parks, where they like to graze. Without any kind of intervention, the population of the geese could double every two weeks.
Goose droppings don't just look bad on the grass. They can also pose a health risk as they contain a number of different bacteria, including E. coli, which could be problematic for children who often go to city parks.
While the proposal to use drones to chase the geese away certainly has a case, it will be difficult for Wambolt to convince those that are in favor of the geese.
