Canada geese soil athletic field at Tennessee school; Half unsuitable for P.E. use

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Canada geese used to be migratory and would just drop by in Tennessee. Now the droppings are the problem.

A flock of the geese is living at South-Doyle Middle School and officials say about half of the athletic field is unsuitable for physical education classes to use.

Principal Karen Harrel says there are droppings everywhere.

The species used to be migratory, but Dan Hicks, spokesman for the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, told The Knoxville News Sentinel many of the geese have become resident. Hicks said Canada geese are a big issue statewide.

The newspaper reported two pieces of advice from students and a teacher at South-Doyle - don't chase the geese and don't look up with your mouth open.

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Information from: The Knoxville News Sentinel, http://www.knoxnews.com

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press.