Teenagers charged with injuring nesting Canada goose
On the morning of April 17, 2008 the Wildlife Care Center received a call from Clackamas about a Canada goose injured by two teenage boys.
For three years, animal lover Pam H has enjoyed watching a pair of Canada Geese nest near a pond by her Clackamas workplace. The first spring the pair raised goslings, but last year the eggs washed away. This year Pam was excited as hatching time neared for the five eggs in the nest. However, everything changed for the geese when the female was injured in mid April.
On the morning of April 17, 2008 the Wildlife Care Center received a call from Clackamas about a Canada goose injured by two teenage boys. According to a witness, the two 14 year old boys repeatedly threw rocks at the goose and even “punted” her into the pond. The female goose was unable to get to her nest of eggs, which could not be saved.
Wildlife Care Center Volunteer Mandy Sims and Oregon State Police Officer Christopher Allori captured the injured goose and brought her to the care center for assessment and medical care. Her right upper eyelid was ripped open, there was a laceration across the top of her head and there was severe soft tissue swelling of most of her head. She was off balance, stumbling and falling over when she tried to walk. Wildlife Care Center veterinarians diagnosed traumatic head injury and started immediate treatment with fluid therapy, anti-inflammatories, pain relief, and antibiotics,
Once stabilized, the goose had to be fed through a tube because she was unable to eat. Several days passed before she was able to walk at all and many more before she could walk a straight line. After about 2 weeks the wounds had healed, she was eating on her own, and the goose had improved enough to be moved to a large cage where she can swim and build her coordination and strength back. Unfortunately her recovery is slow and it will be weeks before it’s determined if she can be released.
Meanwhile, back at the pond the male goose was waiting. Pam H reported he “would stand over the nest and call for her”.
The two fourteen year olds are charged with Animal Abuse and Harassment of Wildlife, both misdemeanors.
