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Elmer stands slightly on tip-toe, otherwise looking perfectly healthy for a goose that is lame. Click here for larger image.

A Sticky Situation

Summer, 2006 - The herky-jerky gait of this goose indicates right away that it is lame. However, it is nearly impossible to tell which leg or foot has a problem; perhaps both do. Both feet move as if they are semi-glued to the ground... breaking loose just in time to take a quick, little step before the goose falls forward. So, "Elmer" is named after Elmer's glue, of course. He is quite skittish, allowing me only to come within a foot or so to feed him. He will face me directly only when I have food to offer; otherwise, he faces to the side or away from me and the flock altogether. He dodges other geese who would harass him by swinging his neck around wildly.

When I am feeding pieces of bread to the flock, Elmer indicates his interest by leaning far forward to extend his beak. Even though I am several feet away, he does not step forward to come closer. Again, it's as if his feet are glued to the ground. This indicates to me just how uncomfortable it must be to take a step with either foot. Sometimes he stands with his left foot on tip-toe. He only arrives with a particular flock of about ten geese, never arriving alone.

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