A happy feathery love story
While many humans have almost concluded the celebration of the month of love, for a recently reunited family of geese, the celebration has just begun.
Valentine’s Day came a little later for an Egyptian geese family when they were reunited after the gander was rescued from sure death at Florida Lake.
The gander was separated from its family for several days after he was rescued by Community Led Animal Animal Welfare (Claw) and volunteers.
It was a beautiful ending for the Egyptian geese family. While humans think of themselves as loyal and monogamous, geese give the concept an entirely new meaning. When a goose gets sick or must leave a formation during migration, the gander leaves the formation too. It flies with the goose to help and protect it, and remains by its side until it dies or is able to fly again. So when Beverly Schellings, a board member at Claw, narrated the story of how the mother goose flew north every morning, seemingly to look for the gander, it didn’t seem improbable. For geese, love is an eternal union.
The gander was rescued by Claw after its leg became entangled in fishing gut at Florida Lake. It spent over 16 days in treatment and rehabilitation at a veterinary clinic. It is alleged that hundreds of similar cases are reported each year and often, animal activists are notified of the endangered birds by residents and compassionate volunteers. Local authorities has been notified of this, but very little is done to protect the birds.
Animal activist and veterinarian Cora Bailey from Claw says broken bottles, litter and negligent behaviour has a detrimental effect on the geese and local conservation. “Most anglers leave their fishing gut and hooks behind. This is very dangerous for the birds that regard the lake as their home,” she said.
The gander’s right leg had to be amputated, but the veterinarian is optimistic that its movement when flying or swimming won’t be affected.
The geese will be kept at a foster home in North Riding until an alternative home is found. Although the goose was a little wary of the human visitors, she welcomed her mate back with open wings. Even the ducklings were excited to see their father again.
The Record’s editor Roelien Vorster spoke to Claw animal conservationists and has a detailed report on the story.
Watch the video below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yz0IWjCFUQY&feature=youtu.be
Read more here
Goose rescue attempt on its way
Happy ending to gander rescue attempt
