Angel wings and stale bread: A cautionary tale from a Newmarket goose

Aurora resident discovers sad truth about feeding wildlife

Yorkregion.com
Sept. 6, 2022
Kim Zarzour

There was something “odd” about the Canada goose.

Maricella Sauceda, walking her dogs at a Newmarket pond Aug. 22, stopped for a second look.

The goose’s posture seemed awkward, her wings mostly bone, curled up like a ballerina’s tutu. The creature was alone, walking back and forth, and in circles.

Sauceda, a dog walker, had five animals on leash, yet the goose waddled closer, undeterred. She contacted Newmarket Animal Services.

Officer Nicole Robson quickly responded and provided a shocking explanation. The goose, she said, was suffering from “angel wing syndrome.”

This condition, which affects mostly waterfowl, is a tragic example of why we should not feed wildlife, she said. People feeding them stale bread causes the bone to grow in the shape of angel’s wings due to a nutritional deficiency, she said.

In fully mature birds, it’s irreversible and likely fatal due to the inability to fly to food sources, vulnerability to predators and rejection from their flocks.

Geese can be extremely territorial, Robson said. If they notice a goose that’s different, a “weak link,” they can attack, which likely happened to this goose before her mates migrated south.

“It's really unfortunate,” Robson said in an interview with yorkregion.com. “There's not much we can do for that specific goose.”

Cathy Stockman, with Shades of Hope animal rescue, believes there is more the town could -- and should -- do. The non-profit organization would be willing to transport it to Jack Miner bird sanctuary in Kingsville, but lacks the resources to capture it, she said.

In the past, Newmarket used Shades of Hope services, but not in this case.

Town spokesperson Amber Blackburn said rehabilitation facilities and sanctuaries have limited capacity and typically reserve spots for animals that are actively suffering, or whose quality of life will improve after care.

“Angel wing is not a painful condition and there is no cure once it has set in, so it is best for animals with this condition to be left in their natural environment to avoid further stress or harm.”

Stockman disagreed. She suggested residents who want to help can contact the rescue to learn how to safely capture and bring the bird to them for transport to Jack Miner.

“How is this goose going to protect himself when he can’t fly from foxes, coyotes, cars? He has no shelter or food or water. He will starve to death or be predated. Either way, it’s a horrible way to go.”

Residents in the Crosslands neighbourhood believe another goose also had angel wing last year.

Vicki McBryde said she and others had tried to help, taking photos and contacting the town, even trying to break up the ice in the frozen pond, but the goose did not make it. He was found dead, likely mangled by a coyote. A neighbour buried him in his backyard, she said.

McBryde walks past the pond every day, watching this latest angel wing goose grow from a gosling to adult, her wings gradually twisting, her mates abandoning her and it makes her sad. She’s considered posting photos near the pond as a warning not to feed.

Blackburn says the town is also considering posting signs and continues to use social media and in-person interactions to remind residents.

Feeding wildlife carries other risks, she said. In addition to angel wing syndrome, it can cause migratory birds to rough it out in the winter communal feeding locations spreading diseases such as the current, highly pathogenic avian influenza.

There is a $300 fine to discourage feeding wildlife, but that’s just for extreme cases and repeat offenders, she said.

It's not just a Newmarket issue, Aurora resident Elaine Pepe says. "People do this all the time at Mill Pond (Richmond Hill).”

Pepe suggests signage in multiple languages or just pictures. “That way if people can’t read English, they still understand. People mean well, but just don't get it."

Sauceda is doing her best to help spread the word.

“Our Canadian geese, we love them and hate them at the same time, but we don't want to see them suffering.”