RCMP in Richmond, BC warns motorists to look out for honking birds.
Arctic snow geese often spend the winter in the city south of Vancouver, and police say they have received reports of the wild birds being run over and killed as they prepared to leave the province.
In a statement, Richmond RCMP Cpl. Ian Henderson said around 5:40 a.m. PT Wednesday, police received a call about a large flock of geese near the intersection of No. 1 Road and Francis Road. Officials who responded noted that three of the geese were killed after appearing to have been hit by a vehicle.
Two days earlier, around 7:20 am Monday, February 13, Mounties in Richmond received a report of about 20 dead snowbirds on the roadway at Block 6200 of Blundell Road.
Richmond RCMP said they are working with the BC SPCA to find out what happened and who is responsible, as so many animals were killed at once and it appeared they were run over by a vehicle.
“Each year during this time we see large numbers of migratory birds flocking to our local lawns, fields, parks and school campuses,” Henderson said. “But they also move onto nearby roads.”
“Drivers need to slow down and be careful…especially in poorly lit areas and early in the morning.”
Henderson said Richmond City police officers and crews were able to clear the roadway and traffic warning signs were posted in the area.
According to the RCMP, there is no evidence to suggest criminal intent or a connection between the two incidents.
But they have asked anyone “with information that may indicate otherwise” to contact the Richmond department or submit an anonymous report to Crime Stoppers online or by phone.
In an emailed statement to CBC, Richmond’s director of communications and marketing Clay Adams also encouraged anyone who may have seen what happened to come forward.
Adams said the city is a popular spot for snow geese because of their migratory patterns, and while they may raise concerns for some, the birds are widely accepted as part of the city’s diverse wildlife.
“To see so many killed in this way is a sad and disturbing situation,” he said.
“We are aware that an investigation into the matter is ongoing by the BC SPCA’s Cruelty Division in conjunction with the Richmond RCMP.”
