Volunteers Relocate Goose Family from Vancouver Rooftop

D.C. moved a family of geese from the rooftop of a four-storey Vancouver home to a pond at Jericho Beach Park. The operation began about two weeks ago when a mother goose settled into a vegetable box on Cecil Hershler's roof. Hershler initially left the bird alone but later contacted the association after guests suggested the goose might be nesting.

A week later, eight goslings hatched and the father goose joined the family. Association volunteers determined the rooftop was too high for the goslings to reach the ground safely. A volunteer placed the goslings in a container and carried them down to the driveway. The adult geese flew down to join them, and the family was then guided to the park pond.

Said nesting goose families usually leave the nest within 24 hours after hatching to reach food and water sources. Bakker said the association receives calls about geese nearly every day during this period and has handled about four rescue situations daily over the past six to eight weeks.

She advised people who find nesting geese to take photos, keep a safe distance, and contact professionals rather than interfere. Geese are protected under the Migratory Birds Convention Act, and only professionals with permits from the Canadian Wildlife Service may move them.