Growing geese population concerns residents near Tulsa's newly renovated Swan Lake

A recently renovated lake in Tulsa is drawing a new wave of wildlife. People who live near Swan Lake are worried a growing goose population could undo all the city’s hard work.

Swan Lake 

Tulsa's Swan Lake near 21st and Utica underwent 2 million dollars in renovations last year after being inactive for more than 25 years. Tom McAlevey says the city has done a fantastic job with the renovation but recently there's been a new issue. He has lived nearby for 27 years and has never seen wildlife take over the lake like this. 

“What we’ve got now is the Canada geese, who, once they come, they tend to not want to leave,” he said. 

More Geese, More Problems

McAlevey believes the geese are staying because people are feeding them, and are causing undesirable conditions. Neighbor Tracy Hull says the 40 geese have caused a public health hazard - as they have left their droppings on sidewalks. 

"Some of the sidewalks are completely covered inches thick and no one can even walk on them,” said Hull.

They say the city has been cooperative and has even come to clean the sidewalks. But now that the work is done, they want to make sure it stays that way. Hull says she's concerned for the 2 swans on the lake, because she says if people feed them or the geese outside of the water, they risk injury or death.

"We haven’t had swans in fifteen years, and we want to keep them alive,” she said. 

Resident's Message to Visitors

Though signs to not feed the wildlife are posted, neighbor Tracy Hull says some people don’t listen. 

“The visitors and neighbors just don’t understand how serious the problem is with feeding them, usually throwing corn or some other food over the fence,” she said. 

She says even though people have good intentions, it's best not to feed the wildlife at all, which she says can help with population control.

For more information from the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife on geese in urban areas, click here.