Aggressive goose attacks gorilla

Recently this video of a Canada goose chasing off a large silverback gorilla went viral. Although it probably made you laugh, it just shows that when geese are defending their territory, especially during the nesting season, these large, often hostile birds are not afraid of much!

Seriously though, the same type of goose attack that happened to this gorilla is no laughing matter when it happens to you, your co-worker or your family member. Geese attack thousands of people each year. Geese in corporate parks or public green spaces may look delightfully natural, but goose instincts can bring them into conflict with humans pretty quickly. Canada geese can be extremely aggressive. Falls and sprained ankles are common injuries – sometimes even head trauma and broken bones result. Hundreds of emergency room admissions occur annually as a result of aggressive Canada geese – most of these in the spring. These accidents usually occur when the victim tried to avoid a goose attack and tripped over an obstacle such as a curb, stairs, bench or picnic table.

What should you do if a goose attacks you?

Experts say the most important thing is to maintain eye contact and a calm demeanor as you back away while using your peripheral vision to look out for obstacles. Turning your back or hiding your eyes will most likely encourage the goose to continue its aggression; so will acting hostile or running away. (That goose shows little hesitation in pursuing the fleeing gorilla!)

Early spring is prime goose nesting season, and since geese show great nest site fidelity from one year to the next, it’s the hardest time to remove them. When goslings hatch, the parent geese become flightless due to molt. Still, there are plenty of things you can do to keep your property safe.

Avoiding goose attacks through goose control efforts

Experts agree that minimizing contact between the public and the geese helps to keep down conflict. Geese should not be fed; if a nest is built close to an entrance or well-used path, fencing it off will help to reduce dangerous interactions. Best of all, deter the geese from establishing their territories and nesting early in the season next year, preventing this behavior from the start. More helpful information on goose control can be found on the Bird-X website Goose Control page.