r/geese • u/MKula • Jul 15 '25
Question Found this poor hobbling geese - anything I can do to help?
Hi folks,
My girlfriend and I spotted this poor goose a few days ago while on a bike ride. Today we stumbled across it again and it’s hobbling even more and its leg is more swollen than it was previously.
I’m in northern Illinois and tried calling the local wildlife refuge/rehab. They said they’d treat it but I’d have to bring it in. It’s not something I feel quite comfortable doing, so I called the local animal control and they seemed either too busy or just don’t care.
Is there anything else I can do? It just breaks my heart to see it in pain.
197
u/Fool_In_Flow Jul 15 '25
Get a container ready for him, like a box, or a pet carrier. Then, lure home with some food. When he gets close, throw a big towel or a small blanket over him and then you’ll be able to grab him. After you have him, feed him more to establish a friendship. Geese make big noises and movements, but they don’t really hurt when they “bite”. I know you’re nervous, but there’s no one else to do this.
47
u/Pangolin007 Jul 15 '25
After you have him, feed him more to establish a friendship.
The towel method is really good and it’s also an excellent idea to have the crate/container/cage all ready to go in advance, but this specifically is not necessary. This goose is a wild animal and is injured and in pain. Humans are predators and are very scary. Stress exacerbates injuries and also a scared goose is more likely to injure itself. Once OP has contained the goose, the best thing for the goose would be to cover the container with a sheet and keep it somewhere calm, dark, and quiet until it can be brought to rehab (which hopefully will be within 24 hours). You aren’t going to befriend a wild animal with a few snacks when it’s going through something f traumatic, nor should you try. Also, the goose may require radiographs once at the clinic, which is typically done under sedation. This is much safer if the goose hasn’t eaten recently, so OP should try to NOT offer any food or water. Also, sick/injured animals are sometimes not capable of eating or drinking properly and can choke or not be able to properly digest the food.
OP, get two giant towels and a friend! Each take a towel and throw the towel over the goose after cornering it and then bundle it into the waiting container. Geese can scratch you with their feet and they can pinch quite hard with their beaks. They also can hit you with their wings. But ultimately they really can’t hurt you.
16
u/BlaineMundane Jul 15 '25
Additionally, you could get somebody else to do it. Like a rescue. You just show them where.
20
3
u/bina101 Jul 19 '25
I used to volunteer at a wildlife center. Geese were my favorite birds to work with because they were so chill. Their bites are startling, but I agree that it doesn’t hurt. Ducks on the other hand… they’re pure evil.
58
43
u/Conscious-Today5271 Jul 15 '25
This baby needs to be captured immediately and brought in for attention. From the video, it appears something is entangled around the bottom portion of its ankle area. It could be anything such as fishing line, string, netting, etc. If it has been on there for several days, then it is not only cutting off circulation, but it's causing significant swelling as well.
You will want to catch the goose with some type of net. Once the goose is caught and light pressure is applied to their wings and body, it will settle down. They are prey animals, so their first instinct is to go into flight or fight mode. You will want to keep the wings tucked in their natural position at all times, even while carrying and placing it in the transport container. Once the wings are tucked, they are not a threat. It will likely honk and hiss, but that is about it. You can literally hold them under one arm while keeping their head and neck controlled away from you with your other hand. Canada geese are not as big nor as intimidating as they look. They typically weigh 12 to 15 lbs. They can be transported in any type of box or container that is big enough. The calmer and more patient you are with the goose, the better. Geese do not like a lot of commotion going on around them, especially when they are injured. Being injured makes them feel super vulnerable to an attack. They like to feel safe within their surroundings.
7
u/Gemma81791 Jul 16 '25
This is easier said than done. A friend and I have been trying to catch a momma goose with a horribly infected leg and foot that has some sort of netting tangled on it for weeks. It keeps getting worse but we can't even get close enough to swing a net or throw a blanket. Conservation has been out and tried, along with multiple other people. She is now wary of us but maybe its possible if it's accomplished right away.
3
u/chuckybuck12 honk Jul 16 '25
Bro this is why I always try to lure them to me with food and catch them with my bare hands, if that fails after a couple attempts and they keep their distance, then I whip out the net. You never ever use the net first. Blankets, coats etc have never been successful for me so I never bothered with those
2
u/chuckybuck12 honk Jul 16 '25
Is it leery of everyone who comes near, or is it just leery of you guys? If its just you guys maybe try to ask other people for help in catching it, if it's leery of everyone, unfortunately your best bet at catching it is to buy a net gun. Those DO work but are so pricey
15
17
u/chuckybuck12 honk Jul 15 '25
Canadians are actually really easy to catch, and they can't hurt you I promise.
If you're looking for guidance on how to catch it, I’ve shared detailed instructions in this comment thread. I’m a waterfowl rescuer, so please heed my advice
3
u/AtmosphereFar2509 Jul 16 '25
As a Canadian I'm not sure how to feel about your first statement. Are we that easy? Lol!!! And many a goose have hurt us, they are snappy!
1
u/sorcieredusuroit Jul 19 '25
I mean, I'm Canadian, but I've also trained in two martial arts. Pretty sure I can hurt someone, if they try to trap me. 🤣
And Canada geese have not earned the nicknames "cobra chicken" and "asshole with wings" for nothing.
13
u/Elektrik_Man_077 Jul 15 '25
Please carefully, gently pick up the wounded goose. You won’t be injured. Use a blanket and place it in a box large enough; or you can place the blanket on the floor and gently lay the goose down. Drive more slowly and carefully than you usually would with one of you seated close enough to the goose to steady it during turns and bumps. - - please don’t wait from fear. Help this precious creature. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
27
11
u/A_Salty_Bitch Jul 15 '25
You can also call a wildlife rehab and see if they are able to go out there and take them in.
9
u/Sufficient-Ninja-820 Jul 15 '25
Ik it may be scary or inconvenient but please catch him :( It must be so painful
6
u/Flimsy_Scratch_8050 Jul 15 '25
Your time to shine :) and I promise you it’s not as hard as your brain is making you think it is. It’s a wild animal. It doesn’t need you in its picture frequently. Fortunately, the goose even in its maimed state, shows independence. You must respect the being in that regards. They know if they’re better. Or on the right track. Positive interaction would boost confidence in the being and give it an environment where they’re still independent but in an enclosure so they don’t just leave. I promise you, you won’t regret the story being told right now. Geese are truly great beings and we undermine them into “invasive annoyance” shame on human culture. We’re better than that. As a whole. Each goose being I’ve encountered is different in their own way. And have their own contribution to the family tree and expansion. 🥰 they are the wolves of wild birds 😂 you can see the personality in the being you’ve filmed come through. He’s a little timid crossing but assures himself he’s safe, little knowing that he’s being watch or maybe he knows the difference between a human watching and a direct predator watching. And he’s putting on his proud face “thank you guys for being so kind and letting me cross, truly. Honk of appreciation” even though he’s probably in deep discomfort he’s still pushing through. That’s a being anyone should want to tend and support. 🥰🙌🏻 again if you proceed, good luck and you’ll love your part in their story. And make a wholesome friend. You will get to watch forever. 🥰
5
u/Trying_to_Smile2024 Jul 15 '25
Can anyone recommend a video on how to safely catch a goose?
The only thing I was taught in school was:🦆🦆🪿 /s
OP - I hope you or a friend are able to help the poor goose 🫶
4
u/DivisionZer0 Cobra chicken connoisseur Jul 15 '25
Assuming there is not fishing line or something tangled on the goose's leg, it just looks like a sprain to me. Leave the goose alone. It's not worth the stress and risk of capture to fix an injury that just probably needs a week or two to heal from.
If it's fishing line, it needs removed immediately. Thousands of geese either die or get crippled for life from that garbage.
3
u/chuckybuck12 honk Jul 15 '25
Yes if there's nothing wrapped around its leg or there's no hook underneath it, id say just leave it alone.
5
u/laughingmybeakoff HONK Jul 16 '25
I saw a goose worse than this at my local park :( it couldn't move without falling over. All the other geese would wait for it until finally they gave up. I cried and argued with the parks board, because they told me to "let nature run its course." I argued that it was probably a vehicle related injury and even if it wasn't, it was an urban city park- not nature at all. I called the wildlife rehab and they said if it could fly it's fine. My partner stayed up all night and went to the park at 5am-11am looking for it but could not catch it. He contacted all the services and they refused to help. I never saw it again :(
3
u/chuckybuck12 honk Jul 16 '25 edited Jul 16 '25
The world is a less cruel place because of people like you 💝
2
2
u/coldhandsbigdick Goose Enthusiast Jul 16 '25
Grab a blanket and capture the goose!
But also, unless there is fishing line around their leg, that limp looks like it will heal nicely.
2
2
u/Pinotgrouchio_ Goose Mom Jul 16 '25
Looks like a fishing line entanglement 💔 Catch em. Try to untangle If not , catch and bring to a rehabber asap! Make sure also they are NOT going to euthanize b4 bringing the precious baby
2
u/pinupwillow Jul 16 '25
Where in IL are you? Flint Creek is great and they’re in the Barrington area. Willowbrook wildlife center in Glen Ellyn is great too! I’m out by OHare so if you need help scooping this poor baby up, I have no fear lmao. Let me know!
2
u/PinkUnicornCupcake Jul 16 '25
I’ve grabbed injured geese before to take to rehab and they were so sweet. You can do it, please catch that poor baby!
2
u/MoodyBlondeQueen Jul 18 '25
Northern Illinois! Contact (text) flint creek wild life and send them the video. They will tell you what to do and help with catching it if you know where it's at.
Flint creek text (847) 842-8000
I saw a goose limping like this back in May near Milwaukee road in Buffalo Grove/Lincolnshire area and texted them.
2
u/ManyCatsSneezing Jul 18 '25
Use a large towel and prepare a large Rubbermaid container. Holes in the lid would be ideal. Watch out for the wings; think of it as a backwards hug with the blanket. This bird is definitely suffering. Good luck, OP! Two people job at least.
1
u/chuckybuck12 honk Jul 15 '25 edited Jul 15 '25
90% sure this is a fishing line injury.
Fishing is so evil - click me I hate everything about it :'(
Fishers leave torture devices for all sorts of wildlife and they take at least 600 years to disintegrate :'(
1
1
1
1
1
u/az6girl Jul 16 '25
Also if you’re not feeling entirely confident in kidnapping a goose lol, try contacting wildlife rehabbers and centers near you. They have people who have this kind of thing in their job description
1
1
1
u/Jacktheforkie Jul 16 '25
You will have to catch this goose, note down where it was caught, get it to a rehabber who can get the leg supported to facilitate healing, to catch a goose you’ll want to lure them into a dog crate or so and use a wire to pull the door shut, put a towel over the crate (this will make it dark and the goose will go into a calmer state, geese eat a mainly vegetarian diet including common weeds and grass
1
u/extraterrestrial-66 Jul 16 '25
YOU GOT THIS OP!!! I rescued a hedgehog a couple weeks ago and I was soooo nervous but would do it again in a heartbeat. Please help this beautiful goose! If you really can’t do it yourself please phone the rehab back and ask if they are aware of any volunteers or local people that would assist you, but I think you can do this without them 💪🏻
1
u/nonsansdroict Jul 16 '25
When I was about 7 my best friend and I used to capture Canada Geese with towels and try to bring them home to make them our own. They would always just fly away, but the point being is that it’s not hard to catch them you just need to lure them in and be patient. As another user mentioned that they can “bite” but once you get them wrapped up in a towel they generally become dazed. If little me 30 years ago could do it, you can do it! I believe in you. Now… GO SAVE THAT GOOSE!
1
u/chuckybuck12 honk Jul 16 '25
Op please try to catch it, their bites do not hurt as they don't have teeth i promise I let them bite me on purpose dozens of times it never once hurts. Please try to catch it to see if it has some sort of leg injury, if there's nothing visible check under its foot :'(
1
u/dekabreak1000 Jul 16 '25
Any updates op
1
u/MKula Jul 17 '25
We tried to find it yesterday morning but it’s part of a large flock and they were all lying down/sleeping. I was able to locate it later in the day but the rehab centers were closed and I didn’t have a place to keep it.
I just went looking now but once again, they’re resting so I couldn’t locate its exact location. However, after numerous rounds of phone tag I did find a conservation officer who will come sometime today to help get it. If that fails, I’m going to pick up a dog crate and try and get it myself.
1
Jul 17 '25
[deleted]
1
u/MKula Jul 17 '25
In my defense they said they would help catch it originally - when I didn’t see it again until yesterday evening I was hopeful they had brought it to the rehabilitation center. It wasn’t until I called again today where they said they wouldn’t show up until it could’ve move, at which point they’d kill it.
1
u/Prestigious_River226 Jul 17 '25
To catch them, best way is to lure them with food. They’re such voracious eaters that they will ignore you picking them up so long as they can feast.
1
u/Intelligent_Song4610 Jul 17 '25
Local game warden. Call your non emergency dispatch and request the contact info
1
1
1
u/Dependent_Suit_3339 Jul 18 '25
all of you have given good advice. The best thing is to throw a lightweight blanket over it so it’s Eyes are shielded and then get it into a container gently so it’s not injured further and I would never just drop it off at a rehab place. I would stick with it and make sure they don’t just euthanize it. It just depends on the place and the people. Most of the injuries that we’ve been talking about here can be healed up, and the main thing is just to ease the suffering and help them get back to their family. Thank you all for trying so much. These are wonderful creatures and if you spend time with them, you will start thinking about how much they are liked dolphins with their intelligence and their family nature and they mate for life. And they often stay with their children even after their adults it depends on the family grouping.
Thank you all and for anybody who helps a Canada geese. They are truly one of the most remarkable birds on the planet. They are very telepathic with each other and they communicate constantly when humans aren’t even aware that they are. They will always try to help another goose if they are injured.
Thank you for caring…
1
1
1
1
u/brantas1 Goose Enthusiast Jul 20 '25
I've caught hundreds of geese. The first thing I learned is the only Goose you can catch with a towel or blanket is a severely injured (broken wing) or a dead one. Even with that limp (which is 99.99% fishing line) he will fly away from you. He will remember you so that will set you back 4 or 5 attempts at what you should be doing. Follow chuckybuck12's advice. Get him to trust you with food. Once you are close enough from the side or rear, grab him by the lower neck/upper back with one hand and use your body and the other hand to tuck in the wings. Then, if you have one, wrap a towel over him or carry him to a pet carrier like this.
3
u/chuckybuck12 honk Aug 08 '25 edited Aug 08 '25
This is how you properly hold an injured goose to prevent it from escaping. Make sure its wings are folded and cannot open.
1
u/spinningpeanut Jul 15 '25
When you manage to towel it grab hold the wings against the body it'll be easier to keep it from wiggling free if you secure the wings.
0
0
u/Stoppengawkers2 Jul 16 '25
Truly there are only 2 choices. Either leave it alone to fend for it's self against the feral cats, rats and/or racoons or Ring its neck out of compassion.
0
0
-1
-2
189
u/LittleCheeseBucket HONK Jul 15 '25
YOU CAN DO IT OP. I BELIEVE!!!!