Western Tractor dealership in Lethbridge protects nesting goose despite costs

Employees of the Western Tractor dealership in Lethbridge recently moved to a new location, but they realized they had a squatter in their midst upon arrival.

"We had a goose and and a soon-to-be family of goslings on top of this massive pile of gravel," said Steven Dyck, president and GM of the agricultural equipment business.

The bird was sitting on four eggs and had no plans to move off her throne. So the agricultural equipment business, which had stockpiled gravel to complete a road around its site, worked around the Canada goose.

"We wanted to make sure that we were respectful because this goose was probably there before us. So we barricaded it all off and took as much gravel as we could and left her a nice little mountain in the middle," said Dyck.

Although Canada geese are protected by the federal Migratory Birds Convention Act, if the birds do become a nuisance, the legislation does allow for some flexibility. 

With an Environment Canada "scare permit," landowners can use a firearm to startle the geese away.

Even though it cost a couple thousand dollars in time, energy and gravel, Dyck wanted to let Mother Nature take its course.

"We expect within the next two weeks we'll probably see some goslings come tumbling down the gravel pile and head for the pond nearby," he said.

Dyck says his employees are currently trying to figure out names for the little ones.

"[They have] sort of taken them on as junior mascots of Western Tractor. Normally it's a deer. This time it's a goose."