Survivor goose Lester

[lesterandlucy]

Hello everyone! I work at an animal sanctuary, and a year ago someone brought in a goose with a shocking neck deformity. The woman who surrendered him said he lived on her lake and that she was worried for his safety; so she scooped him up and brought him to us. Upon surrender, his feather condition was horrid. He looked like he had never had a bath. He was quite thin, and his tail feathers appeared extra damaged/pushed up. I adopted him immediately, and I am madly in love with this sweet little soul. However, I am constantly perplexed on the nature of his condition and how he could have survived whatever caused it. I am posting here, in search of any insight, experience, or advice.

Overall, Lester is healthy. Eats well, poops well, and he can even swim. Lester is very vocal, loving, and enthusiastic.

We have considered multiple possibilities, ranging from chronic abuse, potential torticollis survivor, birth defect, healed breakage etc.

Any insight would be wonderful. A vet suggested a birth defect to be very likely, but HOW could an animal born in this condition survive in the wild??

Thank you for any thoughts.
-Lester’s mom

 

[Goosebaby]

Has an x ray been done? I’ve never seen this but unless he’s the luckiest boy alive someone must have been taking care of him. Maybe they couldn’t anymore and abandoned him, or they abandoned him because of this quirk of his.

Either way it’s wonderful that he’s safe and in such good care now

 

[lesterandlucy]

My veterinarian was hesitant to do an X-ray for “curiosity sake”. In the end, we could not justify putting Lester through the stress and risk of sedation for the X-ray. He is truly a special guy

 

[lesterandlucy]

I also feel that someone must have been caring for him. He is incredibly friendly, and seems quite clueless when I’ve offered him a large body of water (my lake).

 

[Goosebaby]

He’s definitly in kind hands!

 

[Leader Bee]

I'm so happy for Lester!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Lester is adorable and I am to happy he is finally getting the love and care he deserves. @casportpony knows about scoliosis in waterfowl maybe she has some insight.