Injured Canada Goose. What should I do?

[HeatherKellyB]

Is Gooslyn still coming around?

I have been so torn when I noticed some geese show up a week ago. I'm confident that it's the same geese that stay across the road year round, but with Avian Influenza being confirmed in some wild birds here in NC, I just didn't really interact with them like before and have been trying to ignore them in hopes they'll stay away. It's been months since Gooslyn the Gander has visited. I figured someone probably killed him during hunting season or a predator snatched him up. This morning I noticed some geese outside my shop begging for food so I went out trying to lure the geese away from my ducks and chickens. As I got closer to the pond, I spotted a hopping goose that started flapping once I came around the corner. Lo and behold, it was Gooslyn! He seemed happy to see me, or more like happy to see the big food hander outer He survived hunting season and has evaded predators so far. Here's hoping he and his flock stay uninfected with AIV, happy and healthy

 

[HeatherKellyB]

Sadly I noticed this goose. I doubt I can catch it, but I suspect this one should probably be euthanized. It's in pain. My heart just breaks for this goose. I don't know what would be more humane. If the string is removed, it'd have to be caught. I was surprised at the appetite this goose had. It was like a vacuum. My stomach sinks just thinking about it. There's a chance I could get some help to capture it, but I suspect it will leave soon. I guess I should figure out a plan in case it comes back...... I just don't know what to do. I really hate that it's hurting. That's what bothers me the most

 

[HeatherKellyB]

Sadly I noticed this goose. I doubt I can catch it, but I suspect this one should probably be euthanized. It's in pain. My heart just breaks for this goose. I don't know what would be more humane. If the string is removed, it'd have to be caught. I was surprised at the appetite this goose had. It was like a vacuum. My stomach sinks just thinking about it. There's a chance I could get some help to capture it, but I suspect it will leave soon. I guess I should figure out a plan in case it comes back...... I just don't know what to do. I really hate that it's hurting. That's what bothers me the most
View attachment 2976640

This goose wouldn't allow anyone else near it except for me. I would have had to catch it by myself and I was unsure of what to do with it exactly. If it comes back, I'm going to catch it, if possible, and then figure it out. I'm pretty sure this one was coming around here this past summer because it seems familiar with me and has a wierd eye, just like one I got pictures of months ago. This is so upsetting and I am kicking myself for not doing more this morning.

 

[Folly's place]

If you can catch it, a blanket or something over it helps. At least covering the eyes, and wrapping the wings. Good luck, don't get hurt yourself! Managing this will take two people...
Mary

 

[Miss Lydia]

@HeatherKellyB are you close to Charlotte? Carolina waterfowl rescue would take this goose and help it. If you are on the east coast I believe there is a waterfowl rescue over that way too.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

@HeatherKellyB are you close to Charlotte? Carolina waterfowl rescue would take this goose and help it. If you are on the east coast I believe there is a waterfowl rescue over that way too.

I contacted them before about Gooslyn, but there was no immediate emergency like this goose. I am actually in central NC (Pinehurst area) so I'm still a good 2+ hours from CWFRescue. They offered to take Gooslyn if I captured and took him to the rescue center. I didn't know he was a Gander then and I'm completely unsure about this goose. This seems like an emergency to me. I suspect she'll lose the foot but the care she needs now and aftercare are what worries me. I think I will contact them and send these pictures. There are multiple wildlife rescues around me. Maybe some of them will at least help me catch her. Poor goose. This just breaks my heart.

If you can catch it, a blanket or something over it helps. At least covering the eyes, and wrapping the wings. Good luck, don't get hurt yourself! Managing this will take two people...
Mary

I think if I could cover her head and restrain her wings and have someone in the shadows to run over to help, it might be possible. Once she was on the bank eating and finally remembered that she knew & could trust me, anytime she'd hear something that startled her (like my ducks moving around or quacking) she'd just immediately flatten out on the ground. She still nibbles at the string which is how I realized what was going on, so I know she's in pain.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

@RoostersAreAwesome you're a pro at capturing pigeons. Any advice for a goose. Asking about post #62 so you don't have to read through this entire thread. She doesn't see well out of one eye, but I believe she can see shadows, movement or something. She had an eye injury or something months ago, so that isn't new, but her foot

 

[HeatherKellyB]

@Miss Lydia there's a chance that they may not be taking in any wild waterfowl right now because of the confirmed AIV in NC. I'm sure this goose is a resident of NC but they can catch and spread it too. I'll have to keep that in mind (I already do because of my ducks and chickens) and now I think I should probably talk to someone before I make any moves to capture her.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Call or text them they may be able to help. Sure wouldn't hurt to try. It hurts so much to see one injured.

 

[RoostersAreAwesome]

Sadly I noticed this goose. I doubt I can catch it, but I suspect this one should probably be euthanized. It's in pain. My heart just breaks for this goose. I don't know what would be more humane. If the string is removed, it'd have to be caught. I was surprised at the appetite this goose had. It was like a vacuum. My stomach sinks just thinking about it. There's a chance I could get some help to capture it, but I suspect it will leave soon. I guess I should figure out a plan in case it comes back...... I just don't know what to do. I really hate that it's hurting. That's what bothers me the most
View attachment 2976640

@RoostersAreAwesome you're a pro at capturing pigeons. Any advice for a goose. Asking about post #62 so you don't have to read through this entire thread. She doesn't see well out of one eye, but I believe she can see shadows, movement or something. She had an eye injury or something months ago, so that isn't new, but her foot

How food motivated is she? How close were you able to get to her? I catch pigeons by grabbing them while they’re distracted by food/other pigeons and quickly securing their wings so they can’t fly away. I don’t know if this method would work with geese, though.

About the injury, if she was a pigeon, I fully believe she would be able to keep her foot if the string was removed soon and the wound was properly taken care of. I caught one who didn’t put any weight on one foot due to string wrapped around their ankle, but recovered and is able to walk normally now. However, I don’t have any experience with stringfoot in geese.