JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The University of North Florida has found a solution to its Canada geese problem on campus.
Complaints about the Canada Geese and the birds' noticeable amount of droppings everywhere prompted school officials to take action.
UNF is now relying on border collies to keep the geese away. Border collies have long been used to herd animals.
According to a UNF Spinnaker report, school leaders were expected to review feedback from students, faculty and staff over the best method for goose control during the spring season.
The university decided to use a company called Goose Masters, a company that specializes in goose control by using dogs to chase off geese.
School officials used the company over the winter break to minimize disruption to the campus community.
The method of geese control makes geese think their habitat is threatened even though they aren't really in any danger. The dogs pester the geese so much that the birds get tired of being chased and eventually move to a different location.
Goose Masters' website offers alternatives for removing Canada geese which include laser lights, goose repellents, motion sensory squirt guns and nets over ponds and lakes. Although, the methods only offer temporary results.
The university's use of border collies is expected to last a year and costs the school roughly $400 a month.
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