Bristol, Conn. — For using only nonlethal methods—including deploying lifelike coyote decoys—to discourage large numbers of Canada geese who have descended on the grounds of its Bristol, Conn., headquarters, international sports media giant ESPN will receive PETA’s Compassionate Business Award.

When flocks of Canada geese recently decided to call ESPN’s campus home, the company didn’t panic and call in one of the “wildlife control” companies that rounds up and kills the birds. Instead, ESPN has placed three decoy coyotes—coyotes are natural enemies of geese—near the ponds by the main gate. For maximum effectiveness, the decoys will be moved to new positions periodically. The company is also using low fencing and strobe lights to deter the birds.

ESPN President George Bodenheimer will receive a framed award and a thank-you note signed by PETA staffers.

PETA points out that in addition to being cruel, catching and killing waterfowl is wholly ineffective in controlling their numbers. As long as conditions remain attractive to birds and food and water are plentiful, other birds will move in to fill the void left by those who are killed. PETA and other animal protection organizations, including Geesepeace, have had overwhelming success in humanely resolving clashes between human and goose populations in communities throughout the country.

“When it comes to an effective, compassionate approach to handling conflicts with wildlife, ESPN really knows the score,” says PETA Vice President Daphna Nachminovitch. “We commend ESPN for adopting nonlethal measures that will discourage geese from congregating in large numbers without doing them any harm.”

In our ongoing effort to discourage geese from nesting on campus three decoy coyotes will be placed in areas near the ponds by the Ronzo Road Main Gate and at the Pavilion. For maximum effectiveness we will move the decoys to different locations from time to time. Please be aware that they will be visible from sidewalks and are quite life-like. This effort, along with the use of low fencing and strobe lights will continue as we attempt to move the geese to a safer environment.

Strobe lights? Decoy coyotes? Fierce geese? An ungodly amount of chain restaurants? Bristol’s totally the new Area 51.