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In its goose mitigation documents, the USDA Wildlife Services usually refers to Canada geese as "Cago" in abbreviated form.
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With that in mind, I have thus named the lone Canada goose at Harlem Meer over the summer molt, Cago.
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It is suspected that this one Canada goose (who arrived at the Meer around the same time, USDA roundups of geese began in New York City) is likely a lone survivor of goose massacre occurring elsewhere.
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Although most flock birds are highly distressed when suddenly separated from their flocks and may have a difficult time surviving as "loner" birds, Canada geese, it seems, have had to learn to adapt to this now too common scenario.
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Recently, at Lake Vista, Va for example, one lone Canada goose survived a USDA roundup which otherwise sent all 66 of his flock mates to gas chambers:
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The photos on the above site of a now empty lake with just one goose are desolate and sad, but they are not unusual.
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For several years in this blog, I have documented a number of "loner geese" who have mysteriously arrived at Central Park -- usually at the time of USDA goose roundups around the city.
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When first seeing these (obviously stressed) geese, I was concerned that they might not ultimately make it as reliance on and cooperation with flock, is so integral to Canada goose survivability.
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But, all of the loner geese have made it through the tough times.
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When eventually regaining flight, the geese usually look to join a passing or visiting goose flock. However, "acceptance" into a new flock takes time. For weeks or even a month or two, the "loner" goose has to accept a very submissive position in the gaggle (i.e. last goose on totem pole) and usually swims or stays respectfully in back of the pack or around the outer perimeters.
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Such geese are the last to eat and can sometimes be picked on by other members of the gaggle or family (somewhat like college hazings in humans.)
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But, eventually, acceptance does occur, as recently took place at the Boat Lake in Central Park where an "outsider" goose was ultimately welcomed into the flock of 12 led by Papa goose, originally of Turtle Pond.
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Unfortunately, "Cago" was not so fortunate to find an already established goose gaggle at Harlem Meer to go through the molt with.
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Cago was indeed, a sorry sight when first arriving at the Meer.
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Traumatized, scared and likely grieving the loss of mate or flock, Cago could usually be observed keeping a very low profile either in the water or standing alone at the edges of the lake.
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Several times Cago was chased by off-leash dogs into the water and other times, he simply presented a lonely and forlorn figure along the lake embankments. When in the water, it was not unusual to see -- and hear, Cago searching and calling out for his lost brethren.
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But, of course, there were no replies to his calls that simply drifted off and became lost into the still night air.
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But, slowly, over the past few weeks, matters have begun to change.
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As noted in a previous blog entry, Cago found appreciation from a mama mallard who, along with her two tiny ducklings, sought Cago out for a sense of security and protection. (Mama would leave her ducklings with Cago, when taking time to chase off other mallards.)
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And most recently, Cago has found sense of security and acceptance with the four remaining domestic ducks at Harlem Meer (Cochise, Conner, Connie and Carol).
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Perhaps because all six birds are flightless (at this time) there is some comradery and sense of purpose. The ducks likely appreciate having the goose around for added sense of security and protection and Cago is able to enjoy some sense of flock -- even though not with his own kind.
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But, whatever the reasons for the unlikely alliance, Cago spends nearly every night now roosting with the four domestics at the fenced in protected grassy area near the Dana Center and awakens with them each morning.
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Cago has made the harsh adjustment of having to survive the molt as a solitary Canada goose without a flock.
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Life (or more specifically, USDA WS) dealt lemons to Cago, but he has managed to make lemonade.
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As for the other scurrilous activities of USDA and its destructive actions against the wildlife of our state, please read this:
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And it is not just animal activists displeased with the deadly actions and wildlife mismangement of USDA WS, but The Audubon Society as well:
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Truth be told, Canada geese are the poster animal of all that has gone wrong with our "mitigation" and "management" of wildlife in New York and elsewhere around the country.
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But, Cago is the symbol of the ever resilient and adaptable Canada goose's ability to rise against the ever persecution and adversity. -- PCA
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1 comment:
My heart is breaking from hearing so many horrific stories about how our beautiful, innocent Canada Geese are being slaughtered by our own federal governmental agencies who have been concealing their murderous acts from the people of this great country for years. I will never believe that these acts of violence against these totally innocent creatures could ever be condoned by a country whose values and morals are basically virtuous. Thank all of you who are devoted to exposing these corrupt, dishonest federal governmental agencies for who they really are and exactally what they have been doing with our tax dollars behind our backs for years. We are not in the dark anymore because of some very courageous individuals and organizations. We as citizens of the greatest country in the world must join together to create policies that will prevent these atrocities from happening to the animals in our country, and put the ones responsible out of business, and it is still the greatest country in the world and it is still our country.
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