Sandton SPCA saves injured gosling

Sandton SPCA recently saved an injured gosling on 18 January who was unable to walk due to a string wrapped around its leg.

General manager for Sandton SPCA, Jaco Pieterse said, “We received a call from a lady staying at a hotel in Sandton. The lady saw the Egyptian geese and goslings around the pool and one of the goslings was not able to walk on one of its legs.”

Pieterse said she immediately contacted an inspector who was sent out to investigate. “Inspector Stephen Maila went out and struggled for more than an hour to capture the gosling.”

“They were all swimming in the pool and every time Maila approached with the net, they all dove into the water and swum to the bottom of the pool.”

He said it was a very big pool which made it more difficult to capture the injured gosling.

Maila succeeded and successfully captured the gosling and it was brought to the Sandton SPCA Clinic for treatment.

Pieterse said there are five goslings in total. “The mother and father apparently come back every year to nest at the hotel. The hotel allows them to live there and use the pool when they have babies.”

“The gosling was treated by one of our veterinarians. The gosling had a piece of string around the leg that grew into the skin because it was so tight.”

Pieterse said the string was removed and the leg treated. “The gosling recovered fully and is able to use the leg and was safely released on 24 January with his family. This is a happy ending,” said Pieterse.

He advised the community to call them immediately if they see an injured animal or bring the injured animal into the Sandton SPCA.

Details: 011 444 7730; www.sandtonspca.org.za

What do you think about this happy ending for the gosling? Share your views with us by emailing pieterd@caxton.co.za

https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/195210/take-me-home-please-7/