05/13/2026
We’re not sure when, or why, it became trendy to hate geese. It may be that humans have a strange, jealous tendency to be angry at animals for thriving in spite of us, or for being a little too much like us.
We got a call last year about a “mean” goose and his sick mate in a public park. When we checked out the situation, it was clear that the male wasn’t mean at all. He knew that his lifelong partner wasn’t well, and he was fiercely guarding her from anyone he thought might hurt her. Isn’t it sad and sick that we’d label an animal “mean” for staying by the side of his dying mate?
After talking to the very few organizations in Tennessee who are able to rehabilitate waterfowl, we determined that she could not be treated, and that it was kindest to allow her to pass with her mate by her side, rather than to put her through the scary process of being captured for euthanasia. She died three days later, and her “mean” mate eventually stopped guarding her body.
We don’t think it’s so terrible that a few people needed to go the long way around so this couple could have some peace during their final days together. Sometimes, animals’ safety and dignity are more important than humans’ temporary convenience.
This is just one of many examples of kindness, love, and compassion that we’ve seen and heard of in Canada geese. They are some of the most committed mates, parents, and friends seen anywhere in the animal kingdom, and their lives are truly incredible.
Canada geese can travel an incredible 1,500 miles in a single day and can sometimes reach speeds of up to 70 miles per hour. They’re fiercely monogamous, almost always having just one mate for their entire 10- to 25-year lifespans. And despite almost being wiped out over a century ago, they’ve proven their resilience and adaptability, and can thrive even in our biggest cities.
Isn’t it time we appreciate these amazing animals instead of maligning them?
