Canada Geese Cull protest

The RSPCA have expressed anger that the Lake District National Park Authority has refused to meet them over plans to cull hundreds of Canada geese.

The park authority says that it has to cull the birds to prevent environmental damage around Windermere.

The Lake District National Park Authority today confirmed that a cull of Canada Geese on the banks of Windermere will go ahead.

The Windermere Geese Management Group, which is organising the cull, said it hadn't changed its policy since last week, despite calls for more humane ways of control.

Protesters who held a demonstration against the cull are now suggesting a compromise with the LDNPA. they've agreed to fund and implement a study into non-lethal methods of population control that they argue would do the same job of controlling population without killing birds.

No-one from the LDNPA has been available for comment today

Clive Hartley is a local conservationist opposing the cull. He said:

"We have a tremendous turn out here today. The public are behind us and don't want this cull to go ahead. We are prepared to fund an independent report into the problem to find a humane, non-lethal alternative to a cull.

"The two sides are too far apart at the moment. Let's meet in the middle and find a compromise."

Around sixty protesters turned out in Bowness on Windermere today to oppose the culling of Canada Geese. Many had travelled hundreds of miles to convey their message to the Lake District National Park Authority.

This is the latest attempt to get the Lake District National Park Authority to reconsider plans to kill 200 geese next month. It has proved to be an emotive and highly divisive plan.

The pro-cull view is that Canada Geese are an invasive, non-native species that are polluting the lake, driving out indigenous species and taking grazing land away from sheep leaving farmers out of pocket.

Those opposing the cull say that it is needless, will not drive the population down in the long run and will damage the Lake District's reputation as a conservation zone.

A mass demonstration will take place on the shores of Windermere today against the planned culling of Canada geese there.

The council have said despite growing opposition the cull is necessary because of environmental concerns.

Brain May from the rock band Queen and the RSPCA have voiced opposition.