Airport to look at a bird culling alternative (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Airport to look at a bird culling alternative

8:00am Thursday 9th February 2012 in Ilkley By Telegraph & Argus

Airport chiefs have agreed to look at ways of controlling the geese population on Yeadon Tarn to avoid culls, it is being claimed.

A meeting between Yeadon residents and Leeds Bradford Airport representatives was held last week after protests about two recent culls which officials say were necessary because geese had been flying across the runway, causing a potential safety risk to planes.

Local people put up RIP notices after ten geese were killed around the Tarn last year and several more were culled nearby in a later incident.

Protesters argue that the geese have lived at Yeadon Tarn for many years without it being deemed necessary to kill them, and they say more humane methods should be found.

At the meeting, Protesters said, while stressing safety was paramount, officials had agreed to look at other ways of controlling the population, such as egg-picking.