Greylag goose Kira
It started sadly...
From the perspective of Gut Aiderbichl
(written by Gisela Pschenitschnig)
Orphaned and half-frozen, Greylag Goose chick Kira was discovered by a couple just over a year ago in May. The breeding season for gray geese is from March to May, so the little chick must have hatched and for some reason was left all alone. The couple took the young chick and raised it. The little chick became the beautiful Greylag Goose Kira.
Kira was supposed to return to nature, but no matter whether they wanted to release her at the Leopoldskroner Weiher or at the Obertrumer See: she ran after the "foster parents". So Kira lived in the garden for half a year, but in winter she could not stay there. There was also no possibility to build a stable for her. Geese can't live alone either - that was probably the biggest problem.
Kira was now used to life with her humans. She does not know fear, not even of dogs and cats.
"It would be important to us that the goose was doing well. You really develop such an intimate relationship when you raise an animal from a young age..."
Kira has now become one of the many geese that have found a home at Gut Aiderbichl's meeting places. However, she will never forget the couple, because gray geese are very intelligent. Konrad Lorenz, co-founder of comparative behavioral research, studied gray geese and their instincts.
The imprinting of the greylag goose begins after hatching. Young geese are imprinted on what they see right after hatching. Ideally, these are the parents, whom they follow immediately after hatching to find shelter and food.
Who did Kira see right after hatching? Her goose mother or the humans? This question probably remains unanswered for us.
...and ended happily
Kira was taken in at Gut Aiderbichl Carinthia and enjoys the big pond there. She has joined the group of swans Engelbert, Koniline, Seeli and Elvira. With her "feathered" family she walks around the farm and it seems that gray goose Kira is the boss.
When Kira will eventually get a visit from her human parents, we can be sure that she will recognize them. Humans may say "stupid goose, stupid cow, stupid donkey..." - but our fellow creatures are not stupid at all. Every day the cattle, which are sometimes visited by their former owners, or the donkeys prove to us that they recognize the voice of the former owner and react curiously and attentively. Geese recognize us by the voice and - if they like - they come up to this familiar person and let themselves be petted.
We wish Kira a long and happy life together with the swans in Carinthia and a soon reunion with the people who raised her.
Sincerely,
Your Gisela
