Summary

Description

Geese were captured on Buldir Island by searching the upper and lower edge of the lowland tall plant association where tall plants offer cover and short plants offer succulent food. When the geese were captured, they were sexed, aged and banded with a numbered colored plastic leg band and size 7B FNS leg band. Within 72 hours after capture the birds were transported to Agattu via the charter vessel Vestfjord and released at Goose Creek in Aga Cove, Agattu Island. A total of 92 geese were captured on Buldir. Of this number, four died in the capture or transplant efforts. The four birds that died represented a four percent mortality factor for all the birds captured and transplanted. A total of 88 Aleutian Canada geese composed of 56 goslings and 32 adults were successfully transplanted and released on Agattu Island. The capture and transplant of wild Aleutian Canada geese from Buldir Island is the most efficient method for reestablishing nesting populations of this subspecies on islands cleared of foxes where the geese historically nested prior to the introduction of foxes near the turn of the century. This was confirmed earlier this summer when three nests and one brood were found at Cape Sabak, Agattu Island. Continuation of transplant efforts will lead to reestablishment of nesting populations of this endangered subspecies on Agattu and other islands and hopefully lead to the species eventual removal from the endangered species list.