Brazil Prison Uses Geese Instead of Guard Dogs
BRAZIL – A maximum-security prison in São Pedro de Alcântara, Santa Catarina has found a surprising but smart way to boost its security—by using geese instead of guard dogs. While most prisons rely on trained K-9 units, this facility has been working with geese for over 15 years, and it’s been working well.
These geese aren’t just for show—they’re the prison’s first line of defense. They’re stationed in the grassy areas between the high prison walls and the outer fence. Whenever something unusual happens, they make loud noises right away, alerting the guards. “It’s never happened, but if someone tried to escape, the geese would go crazy. They would definitely get our attention,” said guard Maros Coronetti, who’s been working with them for over a decade.
So why geese and not dogs? According to Coronetti, dogs need a lot of care—they need training, regular vet visits, and constant attention. Geese, on the other hand, are much easier to manage. “They’re not expensive. They make more noise than dogs, and they never take a break,” he said. “They’re always alert—day and night.”
These geese are a special type known as “sentinel geese.” Zoologist Guilherme Renzo Rocha Brito from the Federal University of Santa Catarina says these birds have long been used for guarding. “They’re very vocal and quick to notice any disturbance,” he said. That’s what makes them such good “watch birds.”
The prison first brought in nine geese back in 2009. Since then, they’ve proved to be reliable guards. They’re naturally territorial and always on alert. Even the slightest change in their surroundings can set them off—perfect for catching any funny business before it happens.
Interestingly, using geese for security isn’t new. Back in 390 BC, geese famously saved Rome’s Capitoline Hill by alerting soldiers to a sneak attack in the middle of the night. And more recently, geese were used to guard border areas between Vietnam and China during the pandemic. It seems like these feathered guards have been doing a great job—then and now.