A Canada goose unable to fly south this winter got a helping hand from the Regina Fire Department on Thursday.
The bird was spotted alone in a pond near Regina’s North West Leisure Centre a few weeks ago. Megan Lawrence, director of rehabilitation with the Salthaven Wildlife and Rehabilitation Centre West, said residents in the area contacted the centre when they noticed the goose had not flown south for the winter.
Lawrence said Salthaven West had to wait until the pond had frozen over to try to get close to the bird, but they were unable to get her to shore. She said the centre was concerned that nearby residents might try to rescue the bird themselves.
Earlier this week, the Wildlife Rehabilitation Society of Saskatchewan reached out to the Regina Fire Department to turn the goose’s rescue into a training exercise for fire crews. On Thursday, firefighters were able to get out onto the ice and get the goose to safety.
Lawrence said the goose’s flight feathers were broken and damaged on her left wing and she was unable to fly. She also said the goose had wounds on the bottom of her feet, which could indicate she was electrocuted by a power line earlier this year.
The goose will remain in the care of Salthaven West until the spring. Lawrence said the goose will molt her damaged flight feathers in the spring and will regrow them next year, giving her a chance to fly away before next year’s cold snap.
