Canada goose droppings and public spaces

Researchers tested waterfowl droppings from publicly accessible parks and found bacteria capable of causing illness in people.

In the study, bacteria—including Salmonella added experimentally—could survive and multiply in droppings for up to a month. Canada geese also spread droppings across more park grassland because they travelled farther from water than the other waterfowl studied.

The findings point to a potential health concern, but the researchers could not quantify the risk to park visitors.