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He came, he healed, he left.
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As the Wild Bird Fund recently experienced with a Canada goose who was treated for lead poisoning and once on the road to recovery, tried every means of escape to return to flock, http://wildbirdfund.org/2013/08/a-canada-goose-on-the-loose/, the same seems to have occurred at Harlem Meer with Toluse.
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When arriving to the Meer on Wednesday evening, it was both, surprise and relief to note Toluse walking with barely a light limp. In fact, the gander who arrived only a few days before, crippled and totally unable to walk, pranced up to me in front of Cago (his diligent protector and caregiver since Saturday night), like a bouncy, proud peacock.
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Wherever Toluse came from, he was obviously (like Cago) very comfortable with and gregarious towards people.
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Toluse gently took from my hand, some sunflower seeds and cracked corn and then moved on to other people offering a roll from theirs.
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A little more reserved, Cago remained further back, perhaps in deference to her formally injured companion who was still in the process of building up and healing.
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Observing the two geese carefully, I came up with the conclusion, Toluse really likes it here! What possible reason would there be for him to leave?
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Indeed, Toluse seemed to have it all in his few days at Harlem Meer.
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A lovely lake, plenty of food (including that offered by humans), dozens of quirky ducks and most of all, a fellow and available Canada goose who welcomed, embraced, nurtured and protected him.
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It was Cago who led Toluse to the safe place where he could rest his damaged leg, eat well and build strength. It was Cago who devotedly looked after Toluse and never left his side over a period of four days.
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Could it be that Cago has finally found her own? I wondered. Could this finally be companionship and bond for the goose who, alone and traumatized, flew into Harlem Meer during the time of USDA goose killings around NYC?
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Such romantic fantasy was fun to entertain for a few days and at least on Wednesday evening, seemed possible reality.
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While Toluse was quickly on the mend from a possible foot or leg sprain and one had to consider the instinct and drive to ultimately return to his flock or mate, I could only question, why would he want to?
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Toluse seemed perfectly happy on Wednesday evening. He was the gander who had everything.
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But, imagine the surprise when retuning to the Meer last night, to find Cago, once again, alone.
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Toluse was no where to be seen.
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It was hard to read Cago last night. For a goose who apparently lost everything during this summer's USDA culls, Cago has become used to seeing geese come and go over the past couple of weeks.
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But, Cago unquestionably formed attachment to Toluse.
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Did she anticipate him leaving too?
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Cago was in the water when I first arrived. But, recognizing me, she came and partook of some treat as she normally does.
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But, then she walked to the edge of the water and just peered over the lake for a long, long time.
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In fact, that is how I left Cago last night.
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Peering out longingly over the water, her thoughts a million miles away.
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Cago was there to offer everything to Toluse during his time of injury. Welcome, empathy, companionship, safety and protection.
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The one thing Cago could and would not do is construct a fence around Toluse.
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And for his part, yes, everything was "perfect" for Toluse. He had safety, water, food, protection, rest and companionship. -- All the things necessary to heal.
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Toluse had everything, but his own.
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Presumably, Toluse has set out on a journey to find his own mate or flock again -- just as the goose at the Wild Bird Fund found every way possible to let his "captors" know he wanted out to return to his own. (That goose was eventually released back to the site of rescue upon his recovery.)
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Hopefully, both geese ultimately are successful in reuniting with their families.
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But, for Cago who remains as the solitary goose at Harlem Meer there is no mate or family to search for or return to.
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USDA WS saw to that.
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The question hangs in the air unanswered, of whether or not Cago will ever see Toluse again.
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For now, she simply peers over the water and waits......
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"Somewhere, beyond the sea, somewhere waiting for me
My lover stands on golden sands and watches the ships that go sailing......"
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