Geese settle into new home

Posted on: Tuesday 12 April 2022
Geese montage (5)

The two geese removed from the canal following complaints about aggressive behaviour are settling into their new home.

The domesticated geese were part of a group of nine believed to have been abandoned on the canal in Two Locks, Cwmbran, around three years ago.

Unfortunately, over the past few weeks Torfaen Council received a number of reports of people being attacked by two of the geese, including an 86-year-old woman who fell trying to escape. 

Following consideration of the potential risks the geese posed to residents and themselves, a decision was taken to move them in the interest of their own safety and that of canal users.

A local pest control company, that also operates an animal collection service and is experienced in handling birds safely, collected the geese on 6 April. They were taken to a small holding in the borough, where they will remain.                                    

Daniel Morelli, Torfaen Council's Head of Public Protection, said: "We understand some residents were upset at the decision to rehome the geese and we want to assure them that their safety and wellbeing was a priority at all times.

"We were concerned at the reports of people being attacked by the geese and we wanted to avoid anyone else getting hurt and prevent them being injured.

"We used a company that has experience of handling birds safely and one of our officers visited the geese in their new home yesterday. We are pleased that they are settling in well. Enquiries were made with a number of animal charities to  collect and rehome the geese, but none of them could house the birds at this time.  

"As they have been rehomed with a private resident on their small holding we are unable to reveal their exact location, but we can assure residents that they are safe and well. The geese have ample space in their new natural surroundings, including a large pond.  

"The other seven geese remain on the canal and we would like to thank local residents for keeping an eye on them."

Last Modified: 13/04/2022 Back to top