Latest Update - 

(Tully's scheduled release!)

Help Us Help Them

TULLY'S BACKGROUND

 Tully learns to stand using a sling

Tully was brought to OWC because he had lost his sense of balance and was unable to stand, which weakened the muscles that he wasn't using.

He couldn't eat or drink without help, let alone walk.  Pretty soon, it was almost apparent that Tully would not make it in this world.

A few hopefuls thought that with a little physical therapy, Tully might improve.  So he started a vigorous "goose camp."

First, he learned how to stand using a make-shift sling.  After he figured out that this was right-side-up, Tully made remarkable changes. 

Several more days passed and Tully was taking countless steps without falling.  A little wobbly, but Tully was trying his best.

JUNE 5

  Standing and flapping!

Tully is standing, swimming, running and flapping his wings without falling (much). He still wobbles a bit, but every day he gets stronger.

He was given a new brother, Mellow, to socialize him and remind him that he's a goose.

Mellow and Tully became quick friends and are inseparable.  Tully mimicks Mellow's behavior and was soon practicing dives in the pool. 

JUNE 13

Mellow and Tully go for a stroll. 

Tully is making this look easy, now.

Bigger and stronger every day... The two are getting difficult to keep track of!  Unfortunately, Mellow has strained his neck and is now a rehabilitation gosling as well, instead of just an orphan. They are growing very fond of the pond at our Cook Road facility and know the path from their cage to the water by heart. The tricky part is getting them to come back in!   

Tully's wings are a little swollen and we are waiting eagerly to make sure he can fly without any trouble before we can release him as an adult. 

Tully is getting used to his new size.

A handsome goose :) 

Tully is almost full grown!  We are concerned because he is very shaky on his knees.  We must wait for him to grow a little bit more before we can determine if we can release him.  

We've been placing various goslings with Tully to keep him company.  One gosling, Tiki, came in with the same problem and had been described as having "Tully syndrome." Tiki immediately formed a bond with Tully and because of their size difference, Tiki spent the first few nights of his recovery sleeping on Tully's back (for comfort?). 

It's unfortunate, though, that people are doing this to these animals.  We're pretty certain that Tully will always have a little bit of a wobble, and this may hinder his chances of a long life in the wild.  "Survival of the fittest."   We can only wait and hope...

he's come a long way! 

JULY 6

Tully found a temporary home!  Early next week, Tully, Tiki and two others will take a 2-hour drive to Toledo where they'll be transferred to another licensed rehabber near Lake Erie.  They will have full range of an outdoor waterfowl enclosure (like the one we're trying to fund and build!).  Here, they will get accustomed to living outside again while in a protected environment with other wild allies.  They will also have the opportunity to bond as a family unit so hopefully on the day of their release, they will have formed their own close-knit family of four to spend a lifetime with.

(left) Tully's first day of "goose-camp."  He couldn't stand on his own without falling.

(right) Tully at 2.5 months.  He has surpassed all our expectations and is proving to be very independent. 

It will be hard to say goodbye to Tully, but we're so excited that he's moving on to the next step before release. With each day, Tully gains even more strength.  His knees have stopped shaking and he's been practicing his "flight moves."   Now that he'll have a large, outdoor enclosure, we're confident that he will progress even more.  

And, of course, we'll document as much as we can of his transfer and... hopefully soon.... his release with his new family!! 

Tully waits patiently for 2 hours on the drive to Castalia. 

The waterfowl enclosure offers shelter, greens and a small pond.  This is similar to the enclosure we are trying to fund.

Pecking order. 

On Monday, July 9th, Tully was transferred with three others to another rehab facility in Castalia, Ohio.  The center, Back to the Wild, has a large outdoor waterfowl enclosure that allows the geese to socialize in a natural, but protected, environment before their release. 

Upon arrival, the geese were placed in a preparation enclosure as they waited for the vet to inspect them.  Here, the foursome became acquainted; after an afternoon of pecking each other, they are reportedly getting along very well. 

The plan is for them to develop as a family unit because their real families will no longer accept them.

We are in touch with Back to the Wild and will receive updates on their condition.  

Our goal, now, is to raise enough money so geese like Tully can have an enclosure at OWC like the one in Castalia.  This way, once they are strong enough to walk on their own, they can rehabilitate in a large environment with minimal human interaction. 

Tully, chatty as always, tells us to get lost.  

TULLY HELPS US FUND OUR WATERFOWL ENCLOSURE!!

After we shared Tully's story and our need to fund the half-finished waterfowl enclosure at OWC, over $4,000 came flooding in from concerned individuals alone.  Whole Foods then contributed 5% of its sales on August 23rd to our project, which provided us with $4,500!  

The Bonner Family Foundation contributed the remaining funds necessary to complete the enclosure - an amazing amount of more than $13,000. THANK YOU!!!  This has been a very emotional and exciting adventure!!

TULLY WILL BE RELEASED!

It's been three months now of ups and downs with Tully's rehabilitation.  By the end of August/early September, Tully and his three "flock-mates" are scheduled to be released near the shores of Lake Erie in Castalia, Ohio, where they're currently being housed in an outdoor enclosure.  We will be sure to document the release for his many adoring fans (including us!).  

There are others like Tully... Some humans unfortunately treat wild animals as if dispensable. 

Examples from this summer:

	Katherine Clifton, an OWC member, spotted this goose at her local pond.  A fishing lure was lodged in its tongue and wing.   Thanks to her quick action, the goose was helped and reunited with its family (which had eventually abandoned the injured goose).
	Lucy: At about 4 weeks old, Lucy was crossing the road with her family.  An annoyed driver deliberately swerved to hit her and her family.   Her family perished.  Lucy was brought to us in shock with a head injury. She refused to eat or drink for days and stood in solitary rocking back and forth - not even sitting to sleep.    Tiki: Like Tully, Tiki was struck by a rock thrown by teenage boys.  He has a tendency to fall back on his tail and cross one foot over the other in an awkward attempt to walk.
Bandit and Daisy:  Two more victims of road rage.  They were hit by a car and were the only survivors of their family.