Burnt goose adopts orphaned goslings

CASTALIA – In early May, someone used cigarette butts to set fire to a Canada goose and her nest at the Erie County Services Building.

The mother goose, loyal to her clutch of six eggs, stayed seated on the nest as it burned. Her feathers caught fire and smoked, and she tried to pluck the smoldering feathers out with her beak, burning her tongue.

That could have been the end of the goose's story, but luckily, two humans stepped in and put out the flames, saving her from death.

She was quickly taken to Back to the Wild in Castalia, where she was fed and cared for and then taken to a specialist. He determined she would be able to fly again and be released back into the wild.

Although her eggs were too badly damaged to hatch, the goose was given a second chance at motherhood this week.

She's adopted seven orphaned goslings in the past few days and was cautiously watching them in their new enclosure at the wildlife rehabilitation center.

Six of them were found swimming in a pool last week, covered in chlorine. The seventh was found Monday along the road by himself and brought into the center. All were orphans and needed a mother to teach and protect them.

From there, the staff decided to give it a shot and unite the injured goose with the goslings to see whether her motherly instincts would kick in.

"She took about an hour to warm up to them," Sammie Villa, Back to the Wild staff supervisor, said Tuesday. "But she didn't have a whole lot of time. They were all over her."

Villa said the staff was a little worried, as geese can be aggressive if they have been off their eggs for a while, but this one took right to them.

"She's doing a great job watching them, helping them get out of the water and preen," Villa said. "It's been a really nice surprise."

Those responsible for harming the goose and her eggs could face serious federal charges if caught.

Canada geese are federally protected under the Federal Migratory Bird Act of 1918. The act makes it illegal to harm or injure a goose and damage or move its eggs and nest without a federal permit.

Not complying with the federal act can result in fines ranging from $5,000 to $10,000, and that also applies to an untrained dog's actions.

The case has been turned over to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, and staff at the center cannot comment on its progress.

Until then, the mother goose is happily learning to love and teach her adopted goslings to feed, preen and swim at Back to the Wild, where they will likely remain for the next month or so.

After she molts and regrows her feathers, she will be released with her adopted goslings — at which point it's expected she'll continue to protect them.

She's gained plenty of followers since she was rescued from the burning nest.

"Our Facebook has been absolutely swamped with messages asking about her," Villa said. "People really want to know how she's doing."

jdenton@gannett.com

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Twitter: @jessicadentonNH