Drones aim at Canada's geese

Ottawa in Canada has ordered drone strikes to rid a popular beach of pesky geese that dirty the waters with faecal matter .

The hexacopter - a 66cm-wide remote-controlled hobby aircraft - takes off every morning at dawn and chases away waterfowl sullying the Ottawa River near Petrie Island park on the city's east side.

"It's been really effective," Ottawa councillor Bob Monette said. He said the city previously tried trained dogs, noise blasts, animal decoys and countless other means to try to shoo away the geese, but nothing worked.

Canada geese drop a lot of dung that raises E. coli levels in the river, creating a health hazard for bathers.