Wausau Daily Herald – Briefs
December 9, 2003

MARSHFIELD - A Christmas goose was captured during the weekend in the town of Richfield, but it won't be a holiday meal for anybody.

A group of wildlife enthusiasts captured the bird, which could no longer fly, and took it to the Raptor Education Group in Antigo, where efforts will be made to help it regain the use of its wing.

Cathy Zygarlicke, who organized the Saturday morning rescue effort for the bird that was dubbed "Christmas," said some trespassers began shooting at the birds about four weeks ago, and the animals left the her family's property. But the family saw a Canada goose nearby about two weeks later, and determined about a week after that that bird had been injured, Zygarlicke said.

Volunteers chased the bird over the mostly frozen pond and into a nearby field before capturing it Saturday.

Marge Gibson, executive director of the Raptor Education Group, said the goose has a broken wing and might never fly again.

But Christmas can stay at the organization's facility, joining a male Canada goose with a similar injury, Gibson said.