By Lisa Kava
As much as we may wish, not all stories have happy endings. Sadly, that is the case with the Angel Wing goslings of Central Park, who captured the hearts of so many earlier this year.
The goslings tested positive last week for the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), a contagious and harmful virus found in birds for which there is no cure, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), told the Rag. As a result, plans to relocate the goslings to a sanctuary in upstate New York, where they might infect many other birds, were thwarted, and, under instruction from the DEC, the goslings were euthanized.
In September, West Side Rag wrote about these special birds and their fiercely loyal parents, who had led their babies from Morningside Park to The Pool in Central Park, walking them through city streets to get there. The goslings had developed a deformity called Angel Wing Syndrome where their wings bent out to the sides and hung low. Angel Wing Syndrome can be congenital or a result of nutritional deficiencies from being fed bread by humans. Birds with Angel Wing Syndrome will never be able to fly.
Concerned neighbors following the plight of the goslings brought the birds to the attention of the Wild Bird Fund (WBF). Rita McMahon, the director of WBF, along with leaders of other bird rescue organizations, noted that birds who cannot fly may not survive the winter once waterbodies freeze.
A plan was put into action. Rangers from the New York City Parks Department would rescue the goslings before the winter and bring them to WBF. McMahon arranged for them to be transported to a sanctuary in upstate New York, with space to roam, a heated barn, other Angel Wing geese, and a full-time caretaker. The parent geese would remain in Central Park, as Canada geese migrate once their goslings’ primary feathers come in. WSR asked McMahon what would happen if the parents did not migrate. “We have not encountered that before,” McMahon answered. “[This will] “let them go on with their lives, which is the usual pattern of life for geese.”
It sounded perfect. West Side Rag hoped to write a “happily ever after story,” showing photos of the goslings once settled in their new home.
On Tuesday, November 22, Parks Department rangers were able to intercept the four goslings, including one with an injured foot, in Central Park and bring them to WBF, a spokesperson from Parks told WSR. A fifth gosling had disappeared about a month ago, McMahon said
According to McMahon, WBF is required by the DEC to test all incoming birds for HPAI. The virus presents a concern, the NYS Department of Health website explains, because it can spread quickly, causing the illness and death of affected birds in large numbers, leading to the need for widespread euthanization, according to the DEC. “If there is HPAI detected in a facility with domestic poultry, New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets or U.S. Department of Agriculture will euthanize all birds at the facility.”
Upon their arrival at WBF, “unfortunately, all four goslings tested positive for HPAI,” McMahon told WSR in a phone interview. McMahon contacted the DEC with the test results and was told that the goslings had to be humanely euthanized.
An avian pandemic is not the only fear or threat. “Some strains of avian flu viruses are known to cause severe illness and death in humans,” wrote the New York State Department of Health. “The potential to cause illness or death in humans is unknown for other strains….Although avian influenza viruses are not easily spread from person to person….[they] are known to rapidly change, raising the concern that they could evolve into a virus that can spread easily from person to person.”
“It is a very sad ending, “McMahon said. “But the only way to stop the pandemic is to depopulate. We have to accept that it is hard.”
So sad. Thank you for letting us know. At least they had a lovely summer.
Thanks as always to the Wild Bird Fund for taking good care of these little guys, even if the outcome was not what anyone wanted.
The DEC regularly euthanizes all goose eggs at the Reservoir. Parents build nests, and care for eggs, only to be left in mourning. It is standard operating procedure. Only during Covid did this not happen. During that difficult time, many many people enjoyed watching goslings grow up for once escaping the DEC predation. It is horrific.
Canada geese have been maligned and persecuted for many decades.
Indeed, they were nearly hunted to extinction during the early and mid 1900’s.
Hopefully, the story of this special, but ultimately mournful family can help forge a new understanding and appreciation for the unique and exemplary qualities of Canada geese — namely, those of family devotion and sacrifice.
Agree. It appears to me that multiple mistakes were made due to wrong assumptions. Let’s try to learn from the lessons the pandemic wrought and were clearly observed.
Might the parents also be infected? If so, is it wise to let them migrate?
So sad, this goose family was happy and thriving at Harlem Meer. Sounds like mistakes were made. USDA keeps an up to date list of bird flu in wild birds, I have yet to see NYC listed.
It seems this misfortunate family was bound for hardship and loss from the beginning.
Yet, despite all, the parents prevailed, adapted and were even willing to forgo their normal flying instincts in order to accommodate their disabled offspring.
Talk about sacrifice and devotion!
It’s hoped that observances of this unique, but ultimately tragic family can help forge a new respect and admiration for the intelligence and heart of Canada geese.
Indeed, they serve most of all, as nearly perfect role models for parenthood, as well as family and group cooperation.
Humans can learn much from Canada geese.
Thank you for covering this important, but ultimately mournful story.
We had all hoped for a better end.