It is the latest twist in the tale of the rebel "gang of eight'', who were destined to live out their days on the Taieri after a resident offered to take them in.
The issue of what to do with the geese started after their occupation of Watson Park damaged the playing fields and a large quantity of droppings prompted health concerns.
Dunedin City Council parks operations manager Hamish Black said the birds would now most likely be shot, after three attempts over the long weekend to relocate them proved unsuccessful.
"The option of culling is certainly back on the table and we are going to make the decision during the week whether we [do that],'' Mr Black said.
The attempts to relocate the birds involved feeding them with grain spiked with sedatives, but they were not coming on to the park to eat the feed and were instead staying on the harbour.
It was believed the birds may have become more wary of human interaction after being repeatedly chased from the park.
Originally, the plan was to move the geese to Lake Waihola, but this was abandoned when the Clutha District Council expressed concern after its chief executive learnt of it in the Otago Daily Times.
