OTTUMWA, IOWA -- Ottumwa parks are starting to go to the birds, and the city is stepping in to control the population.

Parks in the city are seeing an uncontrollable increase in geese. Its resulted in feces all over trails and fields, as well as dead birds hit by cars on the side of roads. That's led to complaints from residents.

The city is working with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to take some of the geese to a nearby habitat for their protection. A few geese will be taken from two of the most affected areas: Greater Ottumwa Park and Sycamore Park.

     City Administrator Joe Helfenberger says its for the good of the animals and for humans.

"It's a real problem when they're trying to play soccer when someone is running and they're slipping and potentially hurting their ankles, feet, or knees. If we minimize the problem in a wildlife sensitive way it would be helpful."

"We're all wildlife enthusiasts and we want to see them thrive too. We'll still have them but maybe not in such great numbers."

Helfenberger says the round up won't affect ducks because they are native to the area. The roundup is expected to happen in June.