A Vancouver resident who sought help upon discovering a family of geese nesting on his rooftop is not the only one facing this situation, as confirmed by a rescue organization. The Wildlife Rescue Association of B.C. (WRABC) reports that they are receiving calls related to these large birds almost daily during the spring season and emphasizes the importance of involving rescuers early if the geese require assistance.
In the case of Cecil Hershler, the ordeal began when a mother goose settled in a vegetable box on the roof of his four-story home in Vancouver around two weeks ago. Initially, Hershler paid little attention to the goose and continued with his outdoor chores. However, after being advised by visitors that the goose might be nesting, he contacted WRABC, who instructed him to monitor the mother goose and inform them when the eggs hatched.
Approximately a week later, Hershler was greeted by the clamorous sounds of eight goslings and their father. The protective parents exhibited aggressive behavior, with the father goose hissing and posturing defensively. Subsequently, Hershler’s wife contacted rescuers once more, leading to a plan to relocate the geese.
Linda Bakker, the co-executive director of WRABC, explained that a nesting goose family typically remains in the nest for about 24 hours post-hatching before needing to find food and water sources. In most cases, the mother goose leads the goslings off the rooftop or balcony to safety.
Due to the height of Hershler’s rooftop, rescuers determined it was unsafe for the goslings to descend on their own, prompting intervention. A volunteer rescuer carefully transferred the goslings into a specialized container, which were then lowered to Hershler’s driveway. Subsequently, the mother and father goose flew down to reunite with their offspring, and the entire family was guided to a nearby pond at Jericho Beach Park.
In the event of discovering a nest in a hazardous location, only professionals with permits from the Canadian Wildlife Service can relocate the geese, as they are safeguarded under the Migratory Birds Convention Act. Bakker noted that WRABC receives numerous calls regarding geese during this period, with multiple rescue operations occurring daily over the past few weeks. While not all nesting goose families necessitate rescue, Bakker commended Hershler for involving rescuers promptly and refraining from disturbing the birds.
Individuals encountering a nesting goose are advised to maintain a safe distance, take photographs, and refrain from removing any nesting material, as the birds are protected once they start building their nest. Cleaning up the area should be postponed until after the summer season.