The Similarities and Inevitabilities of Geese, Humans and Life

Protective dad and goslings last night after rock concert ended.

Dad, mom and babies preparing to settle down for evening.

They enjoy rock and classical music concerts.  They enjoy cheering on their choice in a knock-down drag out fight (but when necessary, also play peacemaker to intervene and break up fights). They are social and curious and enjoy being where the action is. They love travel and adventure and are loathe to stay in any one place too long.  They marry for life and are fiercely protective of their mates and children.

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No, I am not speaking of humans, but rather, Canada geese -- who are, in many ways, remarkably similar to us.

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Some may scoff and particular raise eyebrows at the line about "enjoying musical concerts."

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Well, something happening a few times can be chalked up to coincidence.

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But, something noted many times over a number of years and with different geese seems more tendency than coincidence.

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A few years ago, I wrote (somewhat tongue-in-cheek), how the goose parents who raised goslings at Turtle Pond would seem to return to the nesting area every time there was a musical production at the nearby Delacourt theatre.  The family, with then, nearly grown (and flying) goslings would take position on their favorite rock in the evenings to intently take in  the (free) opera or musical play being performed. 

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"Ah, they have appreciation for classical music!" I mused to myself -- though I could never figure how the goose family knew when the concerts were to occur. (Some kind of special radar or ESP?.)

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In the years following, I noted many times that the geese who traditionally molted at the Central Park Boat Lake in the summer, similarly seemed to enjoy the bongo drums and other lively music performed by musicians around Bethesda fountain. (Apparently, geese's musical tastes are not just confined to the classics.)

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Last night was "Museum Mile Walk" on Fifth Avenue, which drew thousands of people (apparently, the museums are free), food vendors and a rock band performing near the Guggenheim museum on 88th Street.

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When entering Central Park at the East 90th street entrance, I wondered if the loud rock music might spook newly arrived and molting Canada geese at the Reservoir or the family with their young goslings?

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I could not have been more wrong.

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On the contrary, all of the geese were gathered along the east side of the Reservoir where the music was its loudest and the crowds were the thickest.

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When the music finally ended around 9 PM and crowds thinned, most of the geese leisurely swam towards the middle and western parts of the Reservoir, having apparently realized the show was over. (Only the family and John and Mary remained east, which is where they usually stay at night.)  I was, unfortunately, not able to get their reviews of the rock band, but from all indications, the geese seemed to have approved.  

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Perhaps all of this is "coincidence," but I am personally and absolutely convinced that Canada geese love music and it doesn't matter what kind. Rock, rap, bongos, heavy metal, country, opera or classical. -- Bring it on! 

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Yesterday's blog posting dealt somewhat with goose hierarchy, rules, and the fights geese sometimes have to "enforce" those rules and status placements.

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Most corrections and rule enforcement in the goose worlds are mild and inconsequential. The dominant geese move in, the subordinates politely move away. Sometimes, there's a little butt pecking, but the geese get the message. There is order. There is hierarchy. And most of the time there is acceptance and peace.

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Sometimes though (like a few evenings ago), the subordinates don't move quickly or far enough away -- in which case, an all out battle ensues.

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Looking over "Canada goose fights" on YouTube, I don't see any where geese actually kill or even severely injure each other (though there is a lot of neck-feather grabbing and pulling).

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Perhaps the most fiercely fought battle of posted videos is this one from Harlem Meer in Central Park from just a couple of years ago.  It is particularly intriguing because of the reactions of the other geese:

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6h0kAN4DZ4

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In the beginning of the video, the other geese look on with interest (like humans watching a boxing match), but as the battle of the ganders continues, the other geese eventually move in and appear to break up the match.  "OK, guys, good fight, but time to move on!" 

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Both ganders move to their respective flocks, no worse for the wear, though both geese undoubtedly were missing a bunch of neck feathers and sustained some mild injury.  It's not clear if either of the ganders actually "won" what was most likely a territorial battle over space or possible mates.

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A few nights ago, the obvious "winner" of the battle was the dominant alpha gander with family to defend. But, even in that case, the female mate of the victor eventually gathered up the goslings and began to swim away in the water -- seemingly a signal to her mate to give up the fight and return to the fold (which he did). "He's surely gotten the message by now, Dear" Greta seemed to say in her actions to her victorious gander.

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In saying these things, I am guessing there are instances when goose fights have resulted in grievous injury or even death to one of the ganders.

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But, I believe that in goose "society" (like human society) there are mechanisms and actions in place to prevent territorial, food or mating battles from resulting in actual death to one of the combatants.  That doesn't mean they always work as they don't always work in human society to prevent murders. But, as said yesterday, for the most part, waterbird fights generally appear worse than they actually are. Unfortunately, much as we may not like to see them, they serve important purpose in terms of establishing social and family order.

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The bottom line to all this is the more one personally observes and studies geese, the more they appear to be, "just like us." 

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But, me being particularly biased and prejudiced, I tend to think that geese more accurately represent what humans aspire to be in terms of loyalty, devotion and bravery.

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I daresay that were humans more like geese, there would rarely if ever be, wars, divorce or betrayals -- though there would always be the unavoidable battles for status, territory, food and mates.

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Those just seem to be among the inevitabilities of life itself and all of nature. -- PCA

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Family Feuds and New (Molting) Geese Arrivals

"The family" arriving the other night and meaning business. The stretched heads and honks are warnings to other geese to defer and vacate.

John, one day after "rule enforcement." No worse for the wear, but valuable lesson learned.

Hansel and Greta (and babies) -- Alpha geese at Reservoir because they have goslings.

Some of the new arrivals for the molt.

Hansel.  Dad, mate and ruler and the others need quickly learn.

One of the four babies.

One of the new arrivals. Surprised this goose could still fly as s/he is already in a state of molt.

 

"Something tells me it's all happening at the Zoo."

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The above line is from a Simon and Garfunkle song. But, these days most of the (at least, wild) animal action is at the Reservoir in Central Park.

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That is because the Canada geese who normally choose the Reservoir as a safe place to go through the molt arrived yesterday. (The molt is a roughly six-week period when geese lose and replace flight feathers. They cannot fly during this time.)

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I was very relieved to see the 18 new geese yesterday as I was beginning to worry. As geese are creatures of habit, they generally return to the same molting sites every year with the main criteria being safety from danger and predators.

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Noting some of the few resident Canada geese already molting in Central Park, I worried (due to late timing) that our yearly visitors for the molt either perished over the winter or went to a different location in NYC. Considering that USDA Wildlife Services targets for slaughter, hundreds of NYC geese every year from areas surrounding Central Park, such was indeed, a scary thought.  

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So yes, it was a huge relief yesterday to finally see the same number of geese arrive who had been at the Reservoir last year and previous for the molt. Noting several of the new arrivals already showing the first signs of molting, it is presumed and hoped they are here for the duration of the next six or so weeks.

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Though the Central Park Reservoir is generally a very safe and secure site for molting geese, (No dogs, no fishing, no harassment and hopefully no USDA) one of the things the new geese will quickly have to learn is the current hierarchy at the Reservoir.

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Hansel, Greta and their four goslings are at the very top of the status ladder as established families and pairs usually are in the goose world. Below them are John and Mary, the other mature pair (who though once again attempting nesting this year, lost all of their eggs likely to human predation and park policy).

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Usually the two established pairs of geese respect each other and generally stay out of each other's way.

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But, a few nights ago, John and Mary neglected to heed warnings and sufficiently "yield" when the family swam over and embarked on the same rock area that they were grazing on. 

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Apparently deciding that the "childless couple" had failed to respect and move sufficiently away, Hansel, (the daddy to the goslings) quickly charged to attack John. 

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A fairly intense fight ensued with Hansel pecking at and chasing John into the water. Once in the water, Hansel jumped upon and attempted to hold John down under the water numerous times.  For his part, John didn't put up much of a "fight" and simply tried to escape. I suspect the lack of fight was due in part to naturally deferring to the "Alpha" gander (in this case, a father to goslings) and partly because John is already molting and flightless and Hansel is not (thereby giving Hansel distinct advantage in terms of strength and flying to chase). 

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Eventually, John escaped back to the rocks with Hansel in pursuit.  John was watersoaked and appeared spent, but Hansel continued to peck at him.  The scene was unpleasant and scary to watch, so I quickly left to seek some small rocks or twigs to use as diversion.   

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However, when returning a minute later with some small branches, the geese had finally separated.  By that time, Greta had gathered the goslings in the water and was swimming away where Hansel joined her and John slowly returned back to his mate, Mary.

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I was eventually told by another observer that a young man jumped the pointed, nearly five foot iron fence that surrounds the Reservoir to break up the two ganders. But I neither saw nor can confirm that story. Anything is possible, but it seems a little quick for that to occur in the minute (or less) that I was gone. (There was, however, a lovely young couple who observed the scene and was distressed by it.)  The person who related this story to me was convinced that Hansel was trying to "kill" John and would have without intervention. But I am not so sure of that. Even when John was observed swimming away with his mate (appearing to be unscathed) this individual felt he was grievously injured. 

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I have since returned to the Reservoir twice to check on John and for all that he experienced two nights ago, he appears not to have a mark on him nor is his behavior in any way altered -- though I suspect that both, he and Mary will show much more deference to the family.

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I look at what occurred two nights ago as rule enforcement of the established and current goose hierarchy at the Reservoir. Such actually occurs frequently in the animal and bird worlds and though not pretty for humans to see, rarely result in actual fatalities (or at least none that I have ever witnessed and I've seen many duck and goose scraps over the years. I am of the mind that these battles tend to look worse than what they actually are.) Most importantly, they are somewhat necessary in establishing healthy flock, pack, herd and colony orders.

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One thing is certain:

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The new geese arriving at the Reservoir for the molt will have to figure and learn quickly the hierarchy or else literally get their snowy white butts kicked.   

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In geese (as in many animal species) families rule.    

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And yes, these days in Central Park, it's all happening at the Reservoir, including a family with a very tough patriarch. New geese, take heed. -- PCA

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The Future of Central Park Geese Entirely Dependent on Tiny Wings of Four Goslings

So tiny and such large burdens to carry.....

The proud parents, Greta, Hansel and babies.

"Please accept and stop harassing us!"

The entire weight of the future of Central Park resident geese now rests on the tiny wings of the four goslings miraculously hatched at the Reservoir last week.

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That may sound dramatic, but it is not exaggerative.

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This morning, the eggs and nest of the only remaining nesting goose were destroyed at the Boat Lake in Central Park, (bringing up to four, the number of known Central Park goose nests destroyed this spring).

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At the time this was discovered, an employee from Geese Police was observed harassing (by boat and with a dog), the four geese currently at the Boat Lake -- including at least one gander known to be already molting and incapable of flight.

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It is not known if staffers from Geese Police destroyed the nest and eggs of the one nesting goose who was actually on her second or even third nesting attempt. Since "Lady" was nesting in a highly visible location with fairly easy access, technically anyone could have destroyed the nest and eggs. But the likely culprits are either park maintenance workers or Geese Police. In the past, Geese Police had been observed oiling (i.e. rendering unviable) goose eggs and has admitted to doing so.

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What matters now and what is most significant is that the population of resident Central Park geese is down to 12 (not including the four new hatchlings at the Reservoir, migratory geese in winter or any new geese who temporarily arrive to Central Park for purposes of molting over the next five to six weeks).

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Twelve geese is not a sustainable number for an 843 acre park.

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Of the twelve resident Central Park geese, more than half are mature and one is crippled. And though so far, the week-old goslings are surviving, they can be subjected to predation, lost to brutal weather conditions or (like last year, fail to grow and thrive) be lost to genetic, chemical or medical condition.

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In other words, should the twelve geese and four hatchlings eventually be lost to attrition, there is nothing to replace them. Our resident goose population in Central Park is well on its way to complete elimination and eradication within a few years.

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Spokespersons for Central Park Conservancy and Geese Police deny that the goal is complete eradication of resident Central Park geese (and with it, depletion of mallard and other waterbird populations) -- although one spokesperson referred to geese as an "invasive species."  This claim is patently untrue as Canada geese are native to North America, of which New York City is part.

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Through the years, the Conservancy and Geese Police claim to only want to "move" geese to other locations.  Several years ago, I was told that resident CP geese were being harassed to "make room for migratory geese."  That too, has been proved a lie because migratory geese in winter are harassed as regularly and fiercely as are resident geese.

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But, despite the claims of not seeking complete elimination of resident geese, the facts are what the facts are.

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When one observes as few as two geese being harassed on a large lake or every known goose egg destroyed,  that speaks to zero tolerance of any geese, rather than policy to simply "move along or manage" geese.

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I now look at the four tiny goslings at the Reservoir each night with their dutiful and devoted parents and worry for them.

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I worry that they will being preyed upon. I worry that due to pesticide and other chemical sprayings and doings in Central Park, they won't develop normally and will perish. I worry of them having to now carry the burden for the future of all Central Park resident geese on their tiny wings. (Unfortunately on the question of normal development, I have no other goslings in Central Park to compare these four to.)

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Such is too heavy a burden for any animal, let alone those few representing a species subjected to constant harassment and human contempt in Central Park. 

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As for Geese Police, one wonders if they ever consider what will become of their jobs once every last resident goose has been vanquished from Central Park and/or captured and slaughtered by USDA "Wildlife Services?"

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One doesn't need harassment and "management" of animals who no longer exist. -- PCA

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The Curious and Complex Relationship Between Mallards and Geese

Only days old, readiness and preparedness to defend the family is already ingrained and being tested in these newly hatched goslings.

And they are being tested by the pesky mallards who, though harmless, represent unique teaching opportunities for geese and goslings.

 

One of the things that has always fascinating me in the years of observing waterbirds is the curious relationship between mallards and geese.

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The two species generally respect each other and hang out together. During stress times (such as winter) ducks and geese often cooperate mutually for the benefit of both. This is especially true in situations of thin ice covering water (Geese can break up thin sheets of ice, while mallards, being smaller and quicker, help to maintain the open water once the ice is broken through) or snow on the ground (Geese can peck and pack down snow, allowing mallards easier opportunity to feed).

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That said, it doesn't mean the two species necessarily "love" each other.  On the contrary, there is some competition between them for food sources and mallards seem particularly adept at annoying the hell out of geese (sometimes I think, for the sheer fun of it). 

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The latter is particularly true during the nesting and gosling-raising season.

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For some strange reason, mallards particularly seem to enjoy hanging around geese when the larger birds are nesting or rearing young. While not certain, I am guessing part of that has to do with security reasons. Geese are particularly vigilant during these times and that affords the mallards an extra sense of protection and early warnings of danger.

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I recall particularly, a mama mallard with 9 ducklings who used to bring her ducklings every night to roost a few feet away from the goose family at Turtle Pond in 2010. Mama mallard apparently felt very safe and protected with her brood that the gander of the goose family was literally "on guard" throughout the night. As matters turned out, it was a smart strategy as all nine of her ducklings survived -- something highly unusual for mallards.

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Since the two pairs of geese nested at the Central Park Reservoir over the past month, it has been interesting to note (in both cases), the mallards hanging out near the nesting sites on a regular basis.

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Both ganders were clearly annoyed with the mallards and frequently gave chase -- usually to no avail as the mallards always returned.

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Sadly, all the eggs of one of the goose pairs (John and Mary) mysteriously vanished one day and thus the relationship between the nesting geese and the mallards hanging with them, was quickly aborted.

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But Hansel and Greta succeeded in camouflaging their eggs from easy view by humans and thus the nesting process moved forward.

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After a while, Hansel appeared to "give up" the constant chasing of mallards (probably to save energy for more important things) and tacitly accepted their presence as they represented no viable threat to the eggs.  The mallards were just annoying.

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That all changed however, when the eggs finally hatched this past week.

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Since then, both parents have been quick to let the mallards know they are no longer welcomed or accepted into the sacred vicinity of the goslings.  

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But, as always, the mallards are very slow to "get the message" and always return with the seeming confidence that the geese are not actually going to harm them.

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But, shock of shocks, it is no longer just the parents pecking at or giving chase to pesky mallards, but also the goslings -- goslings who are not even a week old!

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I truly could not believe my eyes last night when seeing one of the 4-day-old goslings running after and actually pecking a mallard drake on the butt along the rocks at the Reservoir. -- Mind you, we are talking of a tiny yellow ball of fluff chasing out a mallard drake at least four times the baby's size!

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At first I thought I was imagining things or the scene was some kind of fluke, but it actually occurred at least 3 or 4 times for, as always, the mallard returned.  (Even two other people watching the scene were completely flabbergasted. "Who would ever think...?" said the man to his equally astonished wife.)

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Due to goose harassment and egg destruction policies in Central Park, we sadly don't get much opportunity to observe geese raising goslings. Of the few opportunities that have occurred, I have been highly impressed with how quickly goslings learn from parents and adapt to fast changing circumstances and/or dangers.

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But, that they would have the instinct (or learn this fast) to protect the family at only 4 days of age is beyond anything I have read or seen even on a Nat Geo documentary.

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As for what the mallard might have thought when being chased and pecked by a gosling only days old?  I have no idea, but imagine he was somewhat caught off guard.

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Still, noting how quickly the mallard returned, it seems he was not that all surprised or put off.

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It is indeed, a very curious relationship between mallards and geese. But, for all the squawks, chases and pecks by geese to their pesky underlings or all the pulled feathers the mallards endure, both species seem to appreciate and benefit from the special attributes of the other.  

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On the surface, it seems the mallards benefit far more from the relationship (in terms of security) than do the geese. One is pressed to figure exactly how geese benefit from the pesky ducks -- other than perhaps, keeping them sharp and on their toes all of the time.

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Then again, in nature, such sharpness and readiness cannot be a wasted thing.  The gosling facing up to and chasing a harmless mallard yesterday is far better prepared to fend off possible threat from a raccoon, fox or coyote than had he not had that early experience.

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And maybe it is that which in itself, defines how geese ultimately benefit from mallards (i.e. preparedness training) -- as the mallards later reap their own rewards in the protection and security of the geese. -- PCA

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Keystone Geese Police, USDA Wildlife "Services" and Tiny Wings of Hope

Mommy and Daddy quickly gathering up babies the other night and moving away from possible threat of raccoon at Reservoir.

Babies gathered in little ball last night preparing to rest as parents keep watch.

The keystone cop-like scenario of "Geese Police" chasing a flightless goose around a lake in Central Park apparently did not occur this morning, according to witnesses. 

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Was Geese Police worn out from the stress of yesterday, requiring an emergency day off? Did they change the time schedule in order to avoid angry, little old ladies? Or, did they finally consult the rule book for goose harassment and learn that molting geese are off limits for reasons of both, futility and animal cruelty? 

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Who knows?

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But, for once the four domestic (flightless) ducks and one-legged, disabled goose (Kaitlin) didn't have to hide in the weeds, while the man from Geese Police paddled around  his canoe in relentless pursuit of a gander who could not fly.

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All great comedies must come to an end. Let's hope this one isn't repeated like dreaded TV reruns.

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As we approach the first of June, those geese who traditionally fly into Central Park for the molting period are beginning to show up. (A period of roughly four to six weeks when geese lose their flight feathers and are incapable of flight.)

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The molting Central Park geese don't constitute a big number -- no more than 35 over the past few years, most of them settling in at the Boat Lake or the Reservoir.

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As of this morning, there were six new geese at the Reservoir and a few new pairs at the Boat Lake.

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Some of the new geese appear very close to molting as the feathers are straggly with some loose ones. I guess that is why these few made it in earlier than the rest. Not all geese molt at the same exact time -- a lesson born out by "Man" the gander at the Boat Lake (and the subject of particular focus by Geese Police) who started the molt at least a week and a half ago.

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Along with arrivals of geese seeking a safe and known place for the molt, USDA Wildlife Services usually also arrives to New York City to map out its roundup and killing locations for hapless, flightless geese around city parks or Jamaica Bay Wildlife "Refuge." (Sadly, one must put quotes around "Refuge" as Jamaica Bay has been the site of hundreds of goose cullings over the past two years.)

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So far, the geese of Central Park have fortunately been spared from such dastardly deeds -- mostly because their numbers are low, but probably more significantly because it would be very hard to pull off the roundups (even at dawn) without being seen by park goers. Many people are already upset with the harassment and egg destruction tactics, which though overdone and cruel (depending on circumstances) are not lethal to the adult geese.

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GoosewatchNYC is the group specifically organized to monitor and oppose USDA goose slaughters around the city. https://www.facebook.com/GooseWatchNYC?fref=ts.  If one lives near a NYC park that has been targeted in the past for goose culls, it is likely to be targeted again.  Please sign up with this site to keep abreast of USDA WS activities in NYC. We are fast coming up on the "busy" time for USDA goose slaughters around the city. Usually such roundups begin in the last quarter of June and continue through the second week in July.

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Though news has generally been frustrating and depressing regarding geese around NYC and even Central Park, there are nevertheless, glimmers of hope.

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That hope is now carried on the tiny wings of four baby goslings who successfully hatched at the Reservoir a few days ago.

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So far, all four hatchlings continue to thrive and appear to be of sound bodies and sharp little minds.

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It was particularly fascinating to witness a particular scene the other night:

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Mommy, Dad and babies were gathered at the edge of the water with the goslings munching some greens growing through the rocks. All of a sudden, a raccoon came wandering along the top of the rocks and Hansel, (the daddy gander) immediately emitted a low, lulling sound ("Uhhhhhooo") which apparently was a warning or directive for the goslings to return to the parents, pronto. Faster than one could blink an eye, all four hatchlings immediately bolted back to the parents and were safely under Daddy's wing.

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Once all four babies were safely and tightly in tow, the family swam away to another part of the Reservoir.

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I found this scene fascinating for several reasons: 

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First, though only two days old at the time, the goslings already understood the warning and directive from parent and quickly responded. Secondly, rather than confronting the wandering raccoon (as they do when nesting), the parent geese chose to gather up the little ones and move away.

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As previously noted, most animals don't seek confrontation if they can avoid it. When nesting, geese don't have the option of moving eggs so they have to be prepared to fight off any potential threat.  But, when having goslings, they choose, instead to move away from threat. This is certainly the more practical and sensible decision under the circumstances.

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Geese are amazingly intelligent and for the most part (except when nesting) peaceful animals.

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It is truly a pity that more people (especially government and park officials) cannot appreciate geese for the wondrous and devoted creations of nature they actually are.

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They should be welcomed in our parks, rather than scorned, slaughtered and endlessly harassed.

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Yes, it was nice today to get a mini vacation from the keystone, Geese Police. That only such peace could prevail -- as it does so in the geese themselves.  -- PCA

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As Crime Spikes in Central Park, the Geese Are Targeted

"Man." -- Mate to nesting goose, Lady and harassed to exhaustion this morning by Geese Police in Central Park. This, despite the fact he is now molting and incapable of flight.

Due to rise in crime, police now have to patrol Central Park on horseback.

"Kaitlin."  Goose who lost most of her right leg to fishing line also harassed this morning at the Boat Lake in Central Park.

 

Under Mayor deBlasio, crime has significantly spiked in Manhattan and especially in Central Park. Recent weeks have witnessed muggings, assaults, robberies and even an attempted kidnapping in one of the world's most prestigious parks.

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http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3096156/Teen-robbed-Central-Park-broad-daylight-police-step-patrols-citing-recent-crime-spree.html

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Nevertheless, while all this is happening, Central Park Conservancy is apparently stepping up its relentless war on geese.

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This morning, an employee from Geese Police was observed in a canoe (with a Border Collie) on the Boat Lake chasing and harassing one goose. The gander in this case is the mate to "Lady" who is still nesting on a nearby rock.  Anyone knowing anything about geese knows a gander is not going to abandon a nesting mate even if tormented to the point of absurdity. But, to make matters worse is the fact that "Man" has been molting for at least a week and a half.  He literally cannot fly anywhere.

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Thus the eyewitness reported the gander "crying" and attempting to fly, but merely skimming the water with Geese Police in hot pursuit -- the employee even swatting the boat paddle at the gander who tried to flee onto a rock.

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"What are you doing?" asked one woman witnessing the scene. 

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"This goose is the most dangerous in the whole park!" the Geese Police man answered.

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"But, I know this goose and he is very gentle!" replied the onlooker.

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The man ignored the woman and continued to chase the then very stressed out and flightless gander.

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At that point, another woman yelled at the man. "What is wrong with you?  Can you not see that this goose is molting and cannot fly?"

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"No habla English." the man shot back and continued to chase the gander in the water.

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Though two different witnesses to the scene were upset, there was nothing either could do. Complaining to Central Park Conservancy via letters or phone calls is completely futile as all are ignored and not responded to.

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There are two other geese at the Boat Lake.  Lady, who was agitated on the nest this morning while her mate was harassed for nearly a half hour and Kaitlin, the goose who lost half of one leg to fishing line cutting into and eventually severing the foot and lower part.

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One might ask, what is the point of harassing a flightless goose, a legless goose and a goose sitting on eggs?

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But, ask all we want, the Conservancy is apparently unwilling to answer for its and Geese Police's actions which this morning, were tantamount to animal cruelty.

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It must be pointed out in sharing these endless stories of harassment, that harassing molting geese goes against all the protocols of this so-called, "management tool."  The supposed "goal" of goose harassment is to "keep geese moving." But, where are geese who cannot fly supposed to "move" to? Chasing flightless geese around a lake is both, cruel and utterly pointless.  As for a goose with only one leg, that is simply adding to the human cruelty that has already befallen and crippled this particular goose.

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When learning of this cruelty and lunacy this morning, I called the Conservancy in attempt to speak with and try to reason with someone in charge.  But I was transferred to voice mail of the Supervisor of Operations where messages are never returned.

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There is no reasoning with a machine.

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And so it is just another day in Central Park where visitors are constantly asked to "contribute to your moment."

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Such a "moment," watching a flightless goose being terrorized around a lake. I can say with absolutely certainty that neither I nor the two women witnesses this morning are "contributing to such moments."

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As for Man being "the most dangerous goose in the whole park," I would love to ask what crimes has he recently committed? Has the devoted gander to his nesting mate robbed anyone? Has he assaulted someone or tried to kidnap a toddler out of a playground? 

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Central Park really needs to get its priorities straight less it become the subject of the 2015 version of, "The Out-of-Towners."

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There are millions of New Yorkers who still remember the bad old days when Central Park was little more than a cesspool for muggings, rapes and robbery.

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Harassing flightless geese to exhaustion and terrorization is not remedy for that. -- PCA

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