Border collies to patrol NYC's Central Park for geese

New York's Central Park next month will welcome two border collies trained to patrol for geese.

Photo: Border collies to patrol NYC's Central Park for geese

Under the Geese Police pilot program funded by the city Department of Parks and Recreation and the Central Park Conservancy management organization, trainers will lead the dogs in driving Canada geese away from the park's lawns and ponds throughout April.

As with all wildlife that inhabit or migrate through city parkland, Canada geese are protected from hunting and attack by humans, parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe said Monday. But their increasing presence on the park's lawns and meadows can damage grass and leave them fouled by droppings, Benepe said.

"The Geese Police pilot project is an innovative and humane effort to manage the growing geese population in Central Park," he said, reports AP.

A Howell, New Jersey, company, Geese Police Inc., employs dog handlers who are educated on the behavior of Canada geese and their migratory, nesting and breeding habits. The collies, bred to herd sheep, have a natural instinct to round up geese.