Updated Friday morning with comments from the APD spokesman.

So, this is weird... From a message from James Brooks in the Albany Police Department's Community Services Unit, distributed Thursday in an email from the Buckingham Lake Neighborhood Association:

APD has confirmed sightings of an unknown person killing geese that reside at Buckingham pond. Killing Canadian Geese is in violation of Federal Fish/Wildlife and NYS EcCon Law.

I ask that everyone keep a lookout to anyone who is in close proximity of these animals.

It is possible that the suspect is a white male dressed in a blue uniform operating a red newer model pick up with the lettering "DGS Wildlife" on the side.

If you see this suspect or vehicle at or about the park area notify the police immediately.

There are also flyers at the pond near the playground with similar info. That's one of them above.



APD spokesman Steven Smith said Thursday via text that the department got a complaint about someone removing a dead goose from the lake about two and half weeks ago. APD has been looking into it. He said there haven't been any other reported incidents since.

Smith said anyone who's seen anything suspicious is encouraged to contact Albany police.

As the APD note mentions, Canada geese are protected like other waterfowl, with designated hunting seasons. From the state Department of Environmental Conservation website: "It is illegal to hunt, kill, sell, purchase, or possess migratory birds or their parts (feathers, nests, eggs, etc.) except as permitted by regulations adopted by USFWS and DEC."

Of course, they've also become a major nuisance in some places, because of the poop they leave behind and their often, let's say, discourteous demeanor. DEC has a whole page detailing what can and can't be done to deal with nuisance geese. (If you just want to chase them away, that's allowed.)