An employee who fell while being attacked by geese at a U.S. Department of Energy facility in Missouri needed seven stitches to the back of the head. The employee also suffered a probable loss of consciousness.
The employee was leaving work for the day and walking toward their personal vehicle when two geese attacked. The employee attempted to avoid the animals, but the geese started hissing and chasing after the employee on the ground and in the air. The employee attempted to wave the geese away using a lunch box, lost their balance, fell backwards on the pavement and hit their head. The employee was transported by ambulance to a local hospital for evaluation and returned to work without restrictions a few days later.
Canada geese (Branta canadensis) are aggressive during breeding and nesting season, from March through June. In addition to painful bites, geese have sharp claws that can cause lacerations. Employees should not approach adult geese or goslings, or encourage them to approach people by offering them food. Feeding geese bread can also contribute to the spread of disease, and moldy bread that is not eaten can cause aspergillosis, a lung infection that can be fatal to waterfowl.
If geese are causing a problem, for example near building entrances, call Natural Resources Manager Casey Sullivan (PMO) at ext. 2-6096.