Geese euthanized near NYC airports

Officials say hundreds of geese located near New York City airports have been euthanized in the past several weeks.

Carol Bannerman, spokeswoman for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services, said Monday the department was asked to remove Canada geese from more than a dozen locations within seven miles of city airports.

Bannerman said nearly 400 geese were corralled at Prospect Park in Brooklyn on Thursday and euthanized using carbon dioxide. She said the geese are removed because they are a risk to planes.

In January, 2009, Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger safely glided a US Airways jet into the Hudson River after its engines failed when the plane struck a flock of geese.

Bannerman said approximately 1,200 geese were removed last summer and the department planned to remove about the same  amount this year.