Injured and stranded, goose gets opportunity at rehab

SALISBURY — As the flock migrated south for winter, one Canada goose was left behind. Since August, a lone goose has called a small pond in Salisbury home.

The property owner has kept a keen eye on the goose and was working closely with the Sharon Audubon Center (SAC) to plan for the winter.

SAC Wildlife Rehabilitation and Outreach Specialist Sunny Kellner said she has been watching this goose throughout the fall.

“The goose raised a group of babies and had a mate [earlier this year],” said Kellner. But when the family flew south, this goose was not able to join them.

A medical evaluation found healed fractures in the radius and ulna of the left wing. Wrist damage was also discovered, which caused some loss of feathers.

“This goose will not be able to fly again,” said Kellner.

SAC specializes in songbirds and was not equipped to house waterfowl, but the center agreed to help with capture once an adequate rehabilitator was identified.

“Because the injury happened so long ago, we didn’t want to capture and keep it in a cage for longer than we needed to,” said Kellner.

After the pond started to freeze last week, and a coyote was reported in the area, the time to relocate arrived.

“We found a rehabilitator with capabilities to take it in,” said Kellner. “The goose will be getting treatment for infection in the wrist.”

The center, which asked not to be identified, can provide proper rehabilitation and long-term placement for the goose. Once healed, the goose will live among other resident geese that are not able to migrate due to permanent injuries.