Injured Canada goose who refused to leave Gatineau Park now rescued

An injured Canada Goose seen lingering in Gatineau Park after others migrated south has been rescued, according to the National Capital Commission.

The injured goose can't fly and appears to have a broken wing.

Another goose, presumably its mate, apparently also refused to leave and fly south for some time but wasn't around at 5 p.m. on Thursday when a conservation officer found and rescued the injured goose.

Bahador Ayoubzadeh first spotted the geese in mid-August. He's an Ottawa taxi driver who visits Lac Phillipe about two to three times a week after discovering it 25 years ago.

On Friday, the NCC tweeted a picture of conservation Alain Pronovost officer holding the injured goose, saying it would be transferred to a bird sanctuary.

'Loyal couple'

Ayoubzadeh had been keeping an eye on the geese and notified Demsis — the private contractor who manages the maintenance of the park for the National Capital Commission — about them on two occasions.

"On Thanksgiving Monday, I noticed all the geese are gone and just these two, which I call a loyal couple, still, they are here," said Ayoubzadeh.

The Blue Line Taxi driver hoped the injured bird and its mate would have been moved to a sanctuary after bringing their situation to Demsis's attention several weeks ago. 

It appears to be a case of what's good for the goose is good for the gander.

"The female, I think her wing is broken or has a problem, and the husband, the male, is staying with her alone and I was thinking that when the snow comes and the lake freezes, and there's no water they are going to freeze to death," he said.

'These birds are amazing'

Ayoubzadeh hopes the birds can be kept together.

"I wish all of us were like them. These birds are amazing. He doesn't want to leave. And I know he's going to stay here and he could die with her."

An NCC spokesperson expressed concern that the company managing Lac Philippe hadn't passed along Ayoubzadeh's warnings about the geese.

I wish all of us were like them. These birds are amazing. He doesn't want to leave.- Bahador Ayoubzadeh 

Jasmine Leduc said Thursday that the director of Gatineau Park would speak to officials with the company, and that the NCC's own conservation authorities would make an effort to assist the injured bird.

Kelly Reid, a worker at Ottawa's Wild Bird Care Centre, said in some cases the wings of Canada geese can be mended. 

"With geese, it's usually vehicle impacts," she said. "We tell people that the sooner they come in, in the better because their bones set really quickly. If it's not put in the right position, they can't fly ever again." 

In situations where a broken wing cannot be fixed, the rehabilitation centre would euthanize the bird because it cannot be re-released into the wild.

Reid said Canada geese separated from their mates will usually find a new mate.