‘Ruffled road warrior,’ police rescue Canada goose in critical condition

An evening shift for police turned into an unexpected wildlife rescue after a Canada goose was struck by a vehicle.

An evening shift for police turned into an unexpected wildlife rescue over the weekend, when a Canada goose was struck by a vehicle along Highway 89.

The incident occurred just before 6 p.m. just west of County Road 56. Officers from the Nottawasaga B Platoon responded, “Not for a high-speed chase, but for a feathered emergency,” shared officers.

Upon arrival, police found the distressed goose and carefully secured it before taking it to a wildlife rescue facility in Caledon.

“(We) gently wrangled the ruffled road warrior, and gave it a VIP ride to a wildlife rescue in Caledon,” shared officers.

Members from the National Wildlife Centre (NWC) say the goose is pretty critical because of a large wound on his abdomen. “It’s too early to tell if he’s going to make it because of the severe injury,” the centre shared.

“We’re doing everything we can to help him. Or her. It’s hard to tell with these if they’re male or female,” the NWC continued.

Officers tried to bring light to the situation saying the goose received a firm warning. “No tickets were issued, but the goose did get a stern ‘no more jaywalking’,” shared one spokesperson with the OPP.

NWC said to CTV News on Tuesday, “A huge thank you to the OPP for bringing him in on Saturday night, and to our staff for staying to stabilize him or her.”

With strong hopes of the goose making a full recovery, the NWC team says they have plans to release the bird back into the wild.