Thornwood's Carroll Park closes after 12 dead geese were found in pond
Town Supervisor Carl Fulgenzi said the dead birds were found on Sunday. They were removed by a wildlife expert and taken by the state's Department of Environmental Conservation for testing.
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Officials from the town of Mount Pleasant announced that Carroll Park in Thornwood is closed until further notice after 12 Canada geese were found dead in a pond.
Town Supervisor Carl Fulgenzi said the dead birds were found on Sunday. They were removed by a wildlife expert and taken by the state's Department of Environmental Conservation for testing.
"They were doing analyses to see if they were truly the bird flu, which to this time, right now, we don't have the definitive answer on that," Fulgenzi said.
Officials said they hope to have the results by Thursday. While they wait, they said they will keep the park closed out of an abundance of caution.
"The whole area has been closed off. We don't allow anybody to go into the park until we know it's safe for people to go in there," Fulgenzi said.
Fulgenzi said there is no danger posed to the public right now.
He said the Department of Health has been notified about the case.
Police Chief Paul Oliva said a laser device is being used to chase off other geese that try land at the pond.
"If we keep them out of there and we're sure that the park is safe, then we'll open it again," Oliva said.
News 12 saw a few geese swimming in the pond late Wednesday night. However, officials emphasized that people should not flock to the park, like the birds did on Wednesday.
"Yeah, [it's] something to be concerned about because our understanding [is] that if it is avian flu--- it passes between different species, so we want to keep people and pets safe," Oliva said.
Supervisor Fulgenzi said dead Canada geese have been found at other locations in Westchester.
He encouraged anyone who finds a dead goose in the public or on town-owned property to give the police a call.
Any dead birds found on private property in the town should be reported to the Department of Environmental Conservation.
