City plans to cull 500 geese this year.

In a follow-up to what became a very contentious topic last year, federal officials will be rounding up and culling geese in Denver's parks for a second year.

City officials say the plan is to cull up to 500 geese over the next two weeks. The city culled 1,600 geese in 2019. Once again, the meat from the culled animals will go to a local food pantry. About five parks will be part of the program this year. 

According to Deputy Parks Manager Scott Gilmore, there are close to 5,000 geese that call Denver home year-round, with 5,000 to 10,000 more migrating through each year. Officials say that the animals have no natural predators, so their numbers aren't controlled by natural means, and their feces contaminates water and spreads disease. 

"Denver parks are artificially supporting a population of geese larger than what the local ecosystem can properly support. Although other impacts are present, the most prevalent effects of too many resident geese are unmanageable accumulations of feces in areas in which park users recreate, along with damage to park property," said the Resident Canada Goose Damage Management Program plan. 

Other techniques to deter the geese from camping out have been tried over the years, but none of them worked satisfactorily. 

Last year, this controversial program caused a major uproar, and it is looking like this year will be the same. A recent effort by an animal activist to stop the cull was blocked by a judge, and many continued their efforts at an advisory board meeting on July 8. Groups like Canada Goose Protection Colorado have been leading the legal charge, as well as questioning the science and safety behind the culling program and the lack of public input on the practice. 

You can see the full Resident Canada Goose Damage Management Program plan on the Denver Parks and Recreation website. 

What do you think of the goose cull? Let us know in the comments.