Case Study: Red-breasted Goose

Previously I talked about this in the Breeding Biology section of the blog; however, more needs to be discussed about the conservation issues the Red-breasted Goose (Branta ruficollis) faces. This waterfowl is one of the most endangered in the Eurasian continent. These geese breed with avian predators which will attack foxes that will potentially predate the nests of these geese. With the presence of the hawks, owls and falcons, the Red-breasted Goose is able to have a higher nesting success. There is a cost to this; however, at times, the adults will be eaten and once the goslings hatch, the Red-breasted Goose must ensure that the goslings make it to water safely before the raptors can hunt them. The population of these geese crashed in the 1950s, potentially due to an indirect effect of DDT. A common conservation case of the Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) and its steep decline due to the influence of DDT and its egg shell thinning effects, the Red-breasted Goose was also affected because the Peregrine Falcon were no longer able to protect the nests of the Red-breasted Goose. The geese sleep on ponds, but these ponds are often occupied by fisherman which cause disturbance for rest. Other threats include rodenticides, lack of hunter knowledge, man-made infrastructure deaths and land changes from cereal crops (preference) to vegetables and vineyards.
Suggestions for management include educating hunters, creating feeding grounds, higher management on fishing around the geese to reduce disturbance as well as to continue the ban on the poisons that killed many falcons.