Homework

Goose and highland bull living together for 10 years

Gisborne's weirdest couple have been together for 10 years. The goose and the bull “Hamish” have been together since January 2001. The lodge's owner and "head gardener", Kees Weytmans, said all the animals used to be in the same area - there were geese, Highland cattle, 10 emus, a pig, 10 deer and two cattle beasts.

Before Hamish was born there was a massive fight between the animals and the gooses mate was killed. They guessed it was one of the emus who did it. The goose was not herself for a few days after the incident. Then 2 weeks later Hamish was born and people remember the goose lying down in the paw of the calf and they have been friends every since.

"We think that the love is from the goose to Hamish rather than the other way around. We reckon the goose is a girl, but we have no idea," he said. The goose is Hamish’s shadow and is very jealous over him. Geese are among the birds that stay together for life as well as paradise ducks, pigeons, swans, bald eagles, red-tailed hawks and penguins.