Deaths of 20 Canada Geese Under Investigation at Highland (N.C.) CC

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the N.C. Wildlife Commission are coordinating investigatory efforts into the deaths of the federally protected birds, which were found in two locations at the club. Officials have not ruled out intentional killings.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the N.C. Wildlife Commission are investigating the deaths of 20 Canada geese that were found at a golf course at Highland (N.C.) Country Club, the Fayetteville Observer reported.

Capt. Brent Spivey of the N.C. Wildlife Commission, who is not directly involved in the investigation, said officers have not ruled out the possibility the geese were killed intentionally, the Observer reported.

The geese were found in two locations at the club on June 2, according to a July 13 letter from Lonnie Player, the club’s lawyer. The club then notified the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Federal agents are involved because the Canada goose is a federally protected species.

After an internal investigation, the club was certain the incident “was not caused by any of its golf operations, horticultural practices or employees,” Player wrote.

Due to the need for the two agencies to coordinate investigatory efforts, Spivey said he could not be sure how long it would take, the Observer reported.

Tags: brent spivey Canada geese Highland Country Club highland n.c. Lonnie player N.C. Wildlife Commission u.s. department of agriculture U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service