Gander trying to drown duck

[skyjams]

I saw my gander almost drown my runner duck yesterday. he's a Pilgrim goose about 8 mo old, he has a female.
He's been bullying my runners for awhile (on land), but yesterday he grabbed a runner by the neck (in the water) then jumped on her back pinning her underwater. if I hadnt been there i think she would've drowned.
Does that sound like he was trying to mate, or trying to kill her?
Has anyone else had this problem keeping geese & ducks together?

 

[nettie]

he was trying to mate her and show some dominance. It is possible for a gander or a big drake to drown a female in a pool. I'd keep an eye on that big boy...

 

[rainplace]

My roman goose has a runner duck girlfriend. And yes, I'm often worried he's going to kill her. She follows him around all googley eyed all the time. My roman is much smaller than your pilgrim though.