Soldiers and staff have been told what to do if they encounter the infamously aggressive birds, which have overrun the defense HQ in Ottawa

The Canadian Department of National Defence (DND) has released a warning to its staff at its Carling Avenue headquarters in Ottawa amid an ongoing takeover of the area by Canada geese. The birds are known for their aggressive behavior toward any perceived threat during nesting season, which is in full swing at the moment. 

In an article on Monday, the Ottawa Citizen cited an e-mail alert sent out by DND spokesperson Nick Drescher Brown, advising both military and civilian staff against attempting to feed or touch the geese, as it could be taken as a provocation by the winged intruders. According to the newspaper, personnel at the Carling Avenue headquarters have been told to "remain calm and not panic" should they encounter a bird displaying aggressive behavior.

"Try to move away slowly and quietly without turning your back to the goose. Maintain eye contact while you back away," the instructions reportedly say.

"If the goose charges or hisses, raise your arms to appear larger and back away slowly," the directive further advises.

Brown acknowledged that DND has no idea how many Canada geese are occupying its property situated in the midst of Ottawa's Greenbelt.

A previous DND directive regarding the birds clarified that they are a protected species, and therefore cannot be relocated once they have nested.

The problem is not exactly new, with CBC quoting DND staff as describing the situation at the headquarters as "volatile" in April 2023.

According to the Toronto Wildlife Centre, Canada geese sometimes nest in busy urban areas near people and cars. They tend to attack anyone approaching their nesting site, which may be inconspicuously perched on a roof or in a planter, making the aggression seem unmotivated.

Geese Relief, a US firm specializing in Canada geese removal with the help of specially trained dogs, warns on its website that while most goose attacks result in minor or no injuries to humans, there have been cases where individuals have sustained "broken bones, head trauma, and emotional distress" during misguided attempts to "avoid an attacking goose" that have ended in "trips and falls."