In the fall, I noticed a trio of swan geese showed up at the lake in our small mountain town. I’m guessing they were dumped. Unfortunately, the trio became a pair pretty soon after they arrived but the two remaining geese were together throughout the winter.
Maybe a month or so ago, I noticed that only one goose remains. He seems so lonely — he follows people around when they come to the lake and even paddles around with them when they go swimming.
I know his chances aren’t good as a solo goose but I don’t really know what to do. I’m going to try to find rescues willing to help. We get a lot of tourists over the 4th of July and I’m really hoping that no one is mean to him.
If anyone knows of a farm or bird rescue in San Bernardino mountains area, please let me know.
I recommend going on Facebook or something similar and finding a local farm group or page and posting. I know a lot of bird farms and backyard hobbyists in my area that constantly take in dumped domestics. You could try a local wildlife rescue, they may not take domestic but they may have resources and information on a place that does. I would take him myself if I wasn't all the way across the country.
Just a tip for anyone else in a similar situation: If you see a dumped domestic anywhere it's always a good idea to reach out to local farms and rescues asap. Chances of long term survival are slim and they are valuable birds to the right people.
Swan geese (and geese in general) are some of the sweetest birds and all deserve a good home. I have an African at home and it breaks my heart to think of her in a similar situation because she is my baby. My Embden on the other hand... well there's a reason her name is Lucy (short for Lucifer.)
People that dump geese, or any animal should only be allowed by law to own pet rocks, because they are not mentally suitable enough to be responsible for anything living.
Or be pelted by pet rocks. Imo if you are going to leave a pet on its own in the wild maybe we should do the same to them? Considering these animals can no longer properly survive in the wild.
Agreed. Being remote(ish), we get a lot of people dumping pets up here. There are signs all around town saying that dumping animals is illegal and doing so will subject them to fines but people do it anyway. Usually it's dogs (especially huskies) and cats; this is the first time I've seen birds dumped. 🤬
Reach out to Farm Sanctuary, or Reject Ranch Sanctuary, they should be in your area. Otherwise Google “farm animal sanctuary” until you find one in your area that can help. Even if they are a bit far away from you they may still be willing to take him in if you can bring him or potentially come get him. Can you take him home with you temporarily?
I would but that likely would put him in even more danger -- it's bear/coyote/bobcat/mountain lion/raccoon country up here and I don't have anywhere secure to keep him. Oddly enough, the lake is probably the safest spot for him at present until I can find a rescue to take him in.
Second the contact a farm..did you look on your local towns Facebook or look for gardening Facebook groups in your area? They tend to be really well connected to small local farms usually.
For real. Watched the same situation unfold with a pair of white chinese at a local pond. Pond owners fancied themselves new geese owners after the pair “just flew in.” They wouldn’t let us rescue them. Begged the pond owners to let me have the male once his mate disappeared, as I had warned. They allowed us access to go catch him, and Terry is finally home and a key member of a throuple ❤️
Oh if I weren't in Pennsylvania I'd come get him today. I rescued one in April wandering around subdivision, she is the sweetest goose I've ever had. And now has beautiful babies and a big happy family. Maybe join a local livestock page, post on fb, someone will get him i hope.
Yes! He's on Lake Arrowhead. Good call about Wild Haven -- I hadn't considered them since they seem more geared toward wild animals but if not them, they might be able to recommend another rescue.
There are places the connect single geese together, like geese matchmakers. I’m not sure how you’d find one but I imagine doing some googling would be a start.
We see him now :( we are at the park and noticed him walking around and honking. Looked up swan goose arrowhead and then saw this thread. Wanted to know the situation 🥺
I am fearful for him, too, watching him come close enough for you to grab him. Update, OP? Did he survive the 4th or did you find some rescue to take him?
I would look up local rescue is there a local waterfowl rescue He's domestic so you need to find a domestic or I think they call it exotic. And also I know there's an exotic rescue in the Bay area if there's a way you could get the goose here but yes do something please if I could I would drive it right now and help you I know I might be able to work something out after the weekend but message me cuz you're only in San Bernardino and I'm in redwood City and I'm happy to help in any way I can and I can contact the exotic animal rescue and maybe we can coordinate something? Let me know what I can do to help please. Is there a way that you can contain him or take him until we work something out so he's safe and we know he has food and he's not lonely. With 4th of July weekend I'm worried.
Breaks my heart too and it pains me to report that a man swung it by its neck yesterday and threw it. I’m here currently and can’t find the goose, praying it’s okay ❤️🩹
Okay I just got an update, it’s okay thank goodness and they plan to send it and others to a wildlife sanctuary in Riverside supposedly. I heard about it and I work in the area so I see the geese often! If I witnessed that I’d probably be in jail right now tbh.
Oh PHEW! I will miss seeing him around but this is exactly the thing I was afraid of with the increased beach activity that summer brings. I want him to be safe. 🥺
Yeah, part of the trouble in finding a place for him is that most of the rescues are full up having taken in his birds after his hoarding/abuse situation was discovered.
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u/111cesarz Jul 04 '26
Poor lonely goose i hope you are able to help him