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The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

Northern Illinois University’s student media since 1899
The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

A cartoon depicts a geese flying over the Holmes Student Center. The geese are aggressive and territorial so be alert on your way to class. (Georgie Fortuna | Northern Star)

Cartoon: Geese takeover

By Georgie Fortuna, Cartoonist | April 11, 2025

A cartoon depicts a group of geese staring at a person as they walk by. Geese tend to be very territorial on campus, especially with baby geese around. (Kaylee Rutherford | Northern Star)

Cartoon: Beware of geese

By Kaylee Rutherford, Cartoonist | March 26, 2025

Jatavion Young, a sophomore middle level teaching major, responds to a street interviews prompt. What’s your plan if a goose attacks? (Northern Star Graphic)

Street Interviews: Goose attack

By Will Thiel, Opinion Columnist | April 25, 2024

As spring falls upon campus, the sun isn’t the only thing rising this season. Watch out, as the sidewalks are their runways, and every passerby could be the star of their next honking attack! I’m referring to the feathered celebrity of the...

A squirrel and geese rest under the words "Look Both Ways" and the topic of the week: Wildlife campus takeover. If one of the two had to take over campus, what would you prefer: squirrels or geese? (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

Look Both Ways: Campus takeover, squirrels vs. geese

By Olivia Zapf and Lucy Atkinson | April 22, 2024

GEESE SHOULD TAKE OVER By: Olivia Zapf, Assistant Opinion Editor Is it better to be feared or loved? Machiavelli would argue feared – and so would I. Squirrels, while cute, are no match for the menacing, honkin’ geese that NIU has been blessed...

Five “Just Dandy” panels depict the adventures of Dandy, the black cat, as he goes on an aerial delivery trip. In this comic, Dandy is placed in a position of unexpected — and unwanted — leadership! (Christa Kim | Northern Star)

Just Dandy: Following the Leader

By Christa Kim, Cartoonist | February 29, 2024

Canadian geese in Will County are the first to be infected with bird flu this year.

USDA reports first 2022 avian flu case in Illinois

By Northern Star Staff | March 11, 2022

The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA), along with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), were made aware by USDA Wildlife Services of the first confirmed case of avian flu in a wild bird in the state of Illinois this year. The birds...

Geese lay in the grass April 18 at the lagoon by the NIU enterance.

Interactions with geese can be peaceful

By Veronica McCulloh | April 25, 2019

Every spring, campus shares its grounds with Canada geese at the height of their mating season. Despite constant battles over turf, it is no secret the geese do not plan on giving up their territories. Many students can attest to the presence of aggressive,...

Weekly Gripe: Shoo geese with parking lots, not robots

By Danny Cozzi | March 26, 2014

I’m sure by now you’re familiar with the famed Goosinator NIU and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources unveiled.That’s about $3,500 worth of silly solutions to even sillier problems. Geese are as much a part of the NIU experience as is Corn...

The Goosinator stands at the Grounds Building just south of Huskie Stadium. The device is a humane way to transfer geese populations from less desirable areas of the campus and East Lagoon to areas more suitable for geese.

There’s a new sheriff in town: Goosinator

By Lark Lewis & Allison Krecek | March 25, 2014

NIU has partnered with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to decrease the number of geese on campus.The department and NIU are bringing in the Goosinator to solve the problem. The Goosinator, which costs $3,497 to buy and $300 to $400 a year...

NIU’s wildlife have backstories, too

By AJ Edwards | April 16, 2013

NIU has many different types of wildlife that one can encounter on campus. It often seems like these geese, squirrels and ducks are a nuisance--especially the two geese I saw last week who swooped out of nowhere and attacked a couple of students. I am...

Geese flock to the lagoon Monday afternoon. Flocks of geese have also been seen by the pond near Grant Towers. These geese have been causing sanitary issues on campus.

Geese are not having a negative effect on student health

By Gino Hernaiz | November 27, 2012

The Canada geese on campus do not have a negative effect on student’s health. According to the Humane Society website, scientific studies do not show goose droppings pose any special threat to people’s health. However, geese will defend their nests...

Geese invade NIU

By Anthony Szudarski | September 23, 2012

NIU has been invaded by monsters from Canada. No, not Justin Bieber—geese. These birds are crazy and they don’t care about the people on campus. I’ve walked by one of these fearless geese on the sidewalk outside DuSable and the bird kept staring...

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