On the possibility of diminishing the Egyptian goose (Alopochen aegyptiacus) population through intervention in the adult geese in Sabi River Sun golf estate and White River country estate.

Abstract

The population of Egyptian geese (Alopochen aegyptiacus) in South Africa is growing. Egyptian geese are normally not seen as ' pest birds' , but for farmers and managers of golf courses and housing estates they are increasingly becoming a problem. There has been little previous research on the population of Egyptian geese in South Africa and methods of control. We conducted a research study on the population of Egyptian geese in two areas of Mpumalanga: Sabi River (SR) Sun golf resort in Hazyview and Pine Lake (PL) resort in White River. We counted the Egyptian geese spread over these areas regularly starting the last week of June 2013 till the last week of August 2013. We found a considerable difference between the two locations. In PL there is one big group and some pairs spread over a nearby dam, and in SR there are just a few little groups and also pairs spread over the course. Both resorts see the Egyptian goose as pest birds and have tried several methods to chase them away. These methods have been discussed with the managers and, in this report, compared with knowledge generated in previous studies. Using dogs to chase the geese away seems to work best. However, the growing population of Egyptian geese remains a problem. To find a workable, good solution for diminishing their number in South Africa, more research is necessary, particularly on the local characteristics of the species concerning survival maturation and reproduction.