Shooting of goose leaves mate in mourning in Ont. cemetery
Bruce Bell, QMI Agency
First posted: Wednesday, April 08, 2015 06:07 PM EDT
PICTON, Ont. - It's a story of romance, beauty, a tragic end and yes, healing.
And now police want to know who shot and killed Kate the Chinese swan goose at the Glenwood Cemetery in Picton, Ont., leaving her mate William in mourning.
William and Kate were mainstays at the cemetery's pond home ever since they were donated 15 years ago.
"They were very tame and friendly and very popular with visitors, especially children," said Glenwood Cemetery board chairwoman Sandy Latchford. "A couple ... comes to feed them every day and they said the two were inseparable as a couple.”
Spring fed, the pond never freezes over in the winter, making it a natural gathering place for fowl during colder months. Neither William or Kate could fly and remained in the pond together year-round.
That proved fatal on March 21.
After hearing shots fired, neighbours called the police, but the culprits had vanished before police arrived. Kate is missing and presumed dead.
Police said the investigation is ongoing, but no arrests have been made.
"This is a 62-acre property and there is no way we can possibly shut everyone out," Latchford said. "We rely on neighbours to be our eyes and ears, but we will be having a discussion about security very soon."
Two weeks later, the heartbroken William is still visibly shaken, making loud crying noises as he moves around the pond. He has, however, forged a new friendship with a Canada goose and the cemetery's volunteers are eager to see if it lasts.
"We don't know the sex of the Canada goose but they have grown quite close since Kate was killed. The goose comes every winter but always leaves in the summer, so it will be interesting to see if it stays this year," Latchford said.
"At least William is settling down now because after it happened he was really kicking up a fuss and wouldn't eat for a few days."
bruce.bell@sunmedia.ca
William, a Chinese swan goose is kept company by a nameless Canada Goose and visiting ducks in the pond at Glenwood Cemetery in Picton, Ont., April 8, 2015. (BRUCE BELL/QMI Agency)
Shooting of goose leaves mate in mourning in Ont. cemetery | Ontario | News | To
Bruce Bell, QMI Agency
First posted: Wednesday, April 08, 2015 06:07 PM EDT
PICTON, Ont. - It's a story of romance, beauty, a tragic end and yes, healing.
And now police want to know who shot and killed Kate the Chinese swan goose at the Glenwood Cemetery in Picton, Ont., leaving her mate William in mourning.
William and Kate were mainstays at the cemetery's pond home ever since they were donated 15 years ago.
"They were very tame and friendly and very popular with visitors, especially children," said Glenwood Cemetery board chairwoman Sandy Latchford. "A couple ... comes to feed them every day and they said the two were inseparable as a couple.”
Spring fed, the pond never freezes over in the winter, making it a natural gathering place for fowl during colder months. Neither William or Kate could fly and remained in the pond together year-round.
That proved fatal on March 21.
After hearing shots fired, neighbours called the police, but the culprits had vanished before police arrived. Kate is missing and presumed dead.
Police said the investigation is ongoing, but no arrests have been made.
"This is a 62-acre property and there is no way we can possibly shut everyone out," Latchford said. "We rely on neighbours to be our eyes and ears, but we will be having a discussion about security very soon."
Two weeks later, the heartbroken William is still visibly shaken, making loud crying noises as he moves around the pond. He has, however, forged a new friendship with a Canada goose and the cemetery's volunteers are eager to see if it lasts.
"We don't know the sex of the Canada goose but they have grown quite close since Kate was killed. The goose comes every winter but always leaves in the summer, so it will be interesting to see if it stays this year," Latchford said.
"At least William is settling down now because after it happened he was really kicking up a fuss and wouldn't eat for a few days."
bruce.bell@sunmedia.ca
William, a Chinese swan goose is kept company by a nameless Canada Goose and visiting ducks in the pond at Glenwood Cemetery in Picton, Ont., April 8, 2015. (BRUCE BELL/QMI Agency)
Shooting of goose leaves mate in mourning in Ont. cemetery | Ontario | News | To