Vehicle fatally struck Canada geese in Springettsbury Twp.: Information sought

Only one gosling has survived after a vehicle struck a family of Canada geese crossing East Market Street in Springettsbury Township on Friday evening, said Tracie Young, wildlife rehabilitator and director at Raven Ridge Wildlife Center.

Gabbie Fisher and her wife, Katie, of Hallam came upon on the injured waterfowl seconds after they had been hit in the area of The First Post restaurant. They stopped to help them, but many couldn't be saved, she said.

Two adults and five goslings died at the scene, but the Fishers rescued two injured babies, wrapping them in a blanket and taking them home until they could find a rehabilitation center to accept them.

On Saturday, the survivors were taken to the wildlife center in Washington Boro, Lancaster County. The babies had suffered injuries to their legs. One died on Sunday, Young said.

The remaining gosling is doing well so far, Young said. It has been paired with another baby to help in its recovery.

"He's standing and walking around," she said on Thursday.

Gabbie Fisher said what happened to the family of Canada geese was terrible, and drivers need to slow down and pay attention.

"It was one of the worst scenes I've ever seen," she said.

Seeking information about the vehicle that struck the protected birds

Raven Ridge Wildlife Center is looking for information, such as any video footage, witnesses or a license plate of the vehicle involved, to find out what happened. The birds are protected under federal and state laws, Young said.

"I hope we're able to find out who did this," she said.

The area where the Canada geese were injured and killed is a well-known crossing for the waterfowl. Gabbie Fisher said it was getting dark outside at the time when the birds were struck. Another family of Canada geese had made it safely to the other side.

Anyone with information may contact the Pennsylvania Game Commission's Operation Game Thief Hotline at 1-888-PGC-8001 or online at www.pgc.pa.gov .

Spring is one of the busiest times of the year for the rehabilitation center as wildlife is giving birth to new life, Young said. It averages about 100 calls a day. Wildlife is running out of habitat as new developments and roads spring up.

"It only takes a couple of minutes to wait" for the waterfowl to cross the street, she said.

This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Vehicle fatally struck Canada geese in Springettsbury Twp.: Information sought