Geese, in brief, are waterbirds that are quite substantial in size. Since they’re often spotted on golf courses, at schools, and in community parks, people understandably tend to wonder whether they’re safety threats. Are geese dangerous?
Why Geese Attack
Understanding the cause of goose attacks may help people keep them at bay. If a goose attacks, it’s an instinctive behavior. They’re like so many other animals in that they have the innate desire to safeguard their offspring. Geese rarely cause extensive injuries to human beings.
Despite that, it can be prudent to try to steer clear of these creatures in times of breeding. Don’t assume you’re safe just because you don’t spot a nest. Geese quite understandably want to stop “invaders” from getting close to their eggs and nests.
How Geese Attack
A goose that’s on the verge of attacking might hiss or bob its head. The bird may peck and bite. The animal may even use his or her powerful wings to beat the human threat. If a goose is about to go into attack mode, he or she will start to be especially loud. Geese have broken human bones and brought on head trauma. They’ve even caused lacerations that have called for staples and stitches.
Are Geese Dangerous to Humans?
Yes, geese in the past have attacked golfers and people innocently going on walks. Although geese attacks on people are few and far between, they’re definitely not out of the question. Since geese are territorial, they can be dangerous to people at times.
How to Stop a Goose Attack
So, are geese dangerous? The birds are usually only dangerous when they’re worried about the well-being of their youngsters. If you have reason to think that a goose feels aggressively toward you, then you should react in a cautious manner. Gaze directly at the bird. While you do this, back off in a gradual and consistent manner. Steer clear of any overly rapid movements at this time.
Don’t ever stop looking at the animal as you move away. Refrain from behaving in a belligerent or antagonistic fashion. Try to adopt a calm demeanor. Don’t try to hurt the goose physically. Kicking and hitting are two examples of off-limits behaviors. If you behave violently, you’ll irritate the goose and make your situation even more difficult. The last thing you want to do is motivate an animal’s partner or “friends” to join in on things.
If the threatened goose moves toward you, lower your head without any delay. Don’t stop monitoring the bird using your eyes. Remember, too, that prevention is better than cure. If you have concerns about geese and aggressive behavior toward people, then you should try your best to never be near any of them.
Resist the temptation to feed geese. Kindly ask the other people in your community to resist the temptation, too. Feeding entices geese to specific spots. It also makes them a lot less afraid of human encounters.
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