280 days of Urbpandemonium #3

It's sometimes hard to believe that Canada geese Branta canadensis were, for a time, rare--endangered. Now they are common to the point of being considered a nuisance. Historically they are migrants, breeding far north of New England and migrating to the southern states in winter. Reintroductions of captive birds and changes to the landscapes--including year-round urban feeding--have resulted in a population that migrates shorter distances, or not at all.


In recent decades Canada geese have taken to breeding in New England. They are ecologically an alien invasive in our habitat, but enjoy the protections that all native bird species do. Many facilities and municipalities get special permits to disrupt goose breeding to keep populations down.

Old men sheep

These two rams are elderly animals that live in the Children's Zoo barn. They're part of the contact yard ("petting zoo") but they have the option not to participate, which they usually take.