Over the weekend Prospect Park Administrator Tupper Thomas finally addressed the matter of the Canada geese that used to reside in her park, but were recently captured and brought to the gas chambers (the total body count was 290). According to the Brooklyn Paper, Thomas broke her silence on the issue via a statement addressed to “Friends of Prospect Park.” You can read it in full below; it says, in part:

"The recent culling of Canada Geese in Prospect Park is disturbing to many people, including staff at the Park. The Canada Geese were removed from the Park late last week and euthanized as part of a joint US Department of Agriculture, Port Authority and City of New York program to reduce the geese population near the flight paths of area airports. Prospect Park is one of a number of parks and locations chosen by the City of New York to be included in this program."

Thomas mentions being near flight paths, and in fact, the rule has been that geese within seven miles of major airports must be removed. However, former Parks Commissioner Henry Stern issued this statement on Friday, noting that a quick check of Google Earth shows that the distance from the Prospect Park Lake to JFK airport is over 9 miles, and the distance to LaGuardia is over 10 miles! Looks like the US Department of Agriculture has some explaining to do...

The recent culling of Canada Geese in Prospect Park is disturbing to many people, including staff at the Park. That people care so passionately about the Park and its natural environment and speak out in its defense is truly wonderful and very welcomed.

The Canada Geese were removed from the Park late last week and euthanized as part of a joint US Department of Agriculture, Port Authority and City of New York program to reduce the geese population near the flight paths of area airports. Prospect Park is one of a number of parks and locations chosen by the City of New York to be included in this program.

Prospect Park is a public, New York City park and is administered in accordance with City, State and Federal regulations and policies. However many Park users have contacted us in recent days about what can be done in the future to avoid this situation.

The staff at Prospect Park, both the Alliance and the Parks Department, recognize that we are the stewards of this amazing greenspace and public resource. Over the years we have undertaken extensive restoration of the Park’s natural areas and watercourse to provide wildlife with hundreds of acres of healthy habitat. We have a wonderful natural resources crew who work year round to keep the habitat healthy and a staff of naturalists at our Audubon Center who educate thousands of young people annually about the importance of wildlife.

To provide the best ongoing ecological care of our habitat, the Park will be forming a wildlife management taskforce comprised of experts in the field. This will strengthen the Alliance and Parks Department’s commitment to safeguarding both nature and people.

Prospect Park is one of many city, state and federally managed parks in the metropolitan area and holistic stewardship of the regional ecology is important. Prospect Park is our park - thankfully many of you consider it your park — and with your help, we can continue to work together to ensure Prospect Park remains healthy and beautiful.

Sincerely yours,

Tupper Thomas