Niles schools: Get geese away from the high school

Staff report

NILES

Administrators at Niles McKinley High School say the ever-growing gaggle of geese on their grounds has to go.

Their concern is due to a potential health hazard from bird droppings that can be tracked into the school.

A news release issued Wednesday states the school has enlisted the aid of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources to “relocate a large number of geese that have taken up residence.”

Starting Friday, the ODNR will activate a noisemaker twice a day to disturb and ultimately deter the flock from nesting around the high school. The release notes Canada geese are protected by Ohio and federal law.

According to the Division of Wildlife, the geese problem, ongoing for decades, has to be resolved now because even larger numbers are expected to try to nest on the property by spring, which is mating season.

The school district plans to keep the birds away permanently through a combination of landscaping and construction of physical barriers.