Translocation of Canada Geese branta canadensis in great Britain

Abstract

In Britain, Canada Geese Branta canadensis have been translocated into new areas and/or areas of low abundance, principally in order to solve problems of local damage to crops or amenity grasslands and to provide new sport-shooting opportunities for wildfowling clubs. This paper, based on a compilation of the available translocation records, provides the most definitive record of the extent of this activity, information necessary to understand the population history of Canada Geese in Britain. The details of 102 translocations, involving 1,910 birds, are collated and analysed. Capture and release information is considered, together with the subsequent fate of a proportion of the geese that had been relocated. The capture of Canada Geese for translocation was a ividespread activity in the 1950s/1960s, but there was particularly intense capture effort in some regions (eg central England) and at some sites (eg Clumber Park, Frampton, Melton Mowbray, Petworth) in Britain. The geese captured were ividely dispersed and there was considerable mixing of birds from different sub-populations, residting in the introduction of Canada Geese into many new areas. The available evidence suggests that many geese remained in the areas in which they were released but others, of unknown age, sex or breeding status, returned to the areas from which they were taken; this was the case for 32% of recoveries with sufficient details. © 1999 British Trust for Ornithology.