A 72-year-old woman has been left with severe injuries, including a broken pelvis and internal bleeding, following a terrifying attack by a group of aggressive geese at her local park.
A Daily Ritual Turns Dangerous
Lydia West, a regular visitor to City Lake Park in Royse City, Texas, was feeding the ducks on December 1 as part of her daily routine. The peaceful outing turned into a nightmare when she was suddenly set upon by several geese. According to reports, the assault was initiated by one larger goose that knocked the elderly woman to the ground, with others then joining in.
Her son, David, described how his mother was left "trapped on the ground" and completely "unable to move" during the frightening ordeal. The attack only ceased when a passing couple intervened, bravely fighting off the birds to help her.
Severe Injuries and a Long Road to Recovery
Ms West was rushed to hospital, where medical examinations revealed the full extent of her injuries. She had suffered several fractures on one side of her pelvis and was also dealing with internal bleeding.
Her son told local network WFAA that she now faces a lengthy and challenging rehabilitation process. "She has a long road of physical therapy ahead and is learning how to walk again," he explained, highlighting the serious impact of the goose attack.
A Stark Warning on Wildlife Interaction
The family has been left shocked by the incident, with David noting his mother never imagined geese "could even become that territorial and could hurt somebody." He described receiving the call about the attack as both ironic and deeply unsettling.
David hopes their experience will serve as a crucial warning, particularly for older visitors to public spaces. "Our main concern is being able to get a warning out there to the public, especially the senior community," he stated, emphasising the need for caution around wildlife.
In response to the incident, a spokesperson for City Lake Park indicated that officials are considering posting signs to educate visitors on how to "better share the space with wildlife."
Wildlife experts offer the following advice if you encounter an aggressive goose:
- Give geese, especially during nesting season (March to June), plenty of space.
- Face the bird directly and make yourself appear larger by spreading your arms.
- Back away slowly without turning your back on the animal.
This alarming event underscores that even familiar activities, like feeding ducks, can carry risks when interacting with protective and territorial animals.
