A warm bath helped a severely weakened Canada goose recover after it was found bleeding with a rusty metal ring caught around its bill in Pennsylvania.
Here's what to know
Thanks to care from Raven Ridge Wildlife Center, the injured bird eventually returned to the wild.
Videos of the injured goose raised concern, with Raven Ridge Wildlife Center saying the bird needed "immediate assistance." According to WCVB, it had been spotted on sidewalks in busy parts of York, Pennsylvania.
Severe dehydration and thinness were among the problems identified during an examination. A rusted metal ring also encircled the lower part of the goose's bill.
The bird's considerable bleeding and pain were caused by the ring, which the center believed had been lodged there for a long time.
More background
Matted chest feathers and blood caked onto its body were also part of the goose's condition when it arrived at Raven Ridge.
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Raven Ridge's response offers a concrete example of taking local action to help wildlife in a community.
What's being done?
"The ring was removed, but the goose was so weak that it seemed to have lost all will to fight. We cleaned the caked-on blood from its body and checked for any other injuries," Raven Ridge Wildlife Center said.
"After being bathed in warm water, the goose began to respond positively, drinking fresh water, floating, and even grooming its matted chest feathers," the center said.
The goose eventually received clearance from Raven Ridge to return to the wild.
"The goose was very photogenic and clearly felt better to be free again," Raven Ridge Wildlife Center officials said.
Where can I learn more?
These stories follow rescues of other geese and swans that needed similar help after injury or after becoming trapped.
• A rescuer fell overboard before a cygnet was freed from a hook in its bill.
• In England, rescuers freed a goose trapped in thick mud in a dried-up pond.
• Three women chased an injured swan for hours before a well-timed tackle secured help.
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