Geese are becoming a nuisance at a Melbourne city park, according to officials who say the demanding birds are starting to run afoul of the visitors.
The city decided to ban wildlife feeding at Wells Park.
Park officials said the geese are so used to people food like bread that they won't eat their natural foods.They also have become so used to it that they've lost their fear of people and can become aggressive.
Not everyone is happy about the new ban.
"I love animals, and I always feed them. No matter what they say," said one park regular who did not want to give her name. She said she feeds the birds multi-grain feed and whole wheat bread every time she visits.
"There's this aggression that develops that's habituated over time, because [the geese] come to expect it," said Melbourne parks manager Steve Graham.
Complaints have been pouring in about the geese in particular. When they flock to a person in the park and don't get fed, the birds get antsy and upset.
In fact, Graham himself was working in the park recently when a goose came up and went after his foot.
"They like being fed a lot, so they come out and expect it, and if they don't get it they may pursue it in other ways," Graham said.
Other park patrons like Goshia Eiler and her infant son, Noah, routinely feed the birds, but she understands why the signs are now in place.
"If everyones comes here and feeds them bread, I could see how that could become a problem," Eiler said.
Right now the city ordinance doesn't fine people for feeding the birds. But if police give enough warnings, it's possible they will be banned from the park for a period of time.
They do understand this is going to be a hard habit to break for some.