Meet the Portsmouth man who walks his goose through the park
TAKING walks through the park has become a popular hobby for many in lockdown, and while many take strolls with family, friends or dogs in tow, one man takes his goose.
Karl Martin from Portsmouth bought a eight-day-old Embden goose on the second week of lockdown after researching the birds for the last two years.
The goose, who is called Emery and is now 10 weeks old, has now joined Karl’s rescue dogs and cats at home and has become a local star when Karl takes him on walks with a leash.
Karl, a 31-year-old retail worker said: ‘I wanted a goose because I’ve always liked them. I like how they look, act and the noise they make. Geese are intelligent birds and recognise people’s faces and some commands but they’re not as noisy as parrots.
‘He’s friendly to me and people that he’s familiar with but not with strangers.
‘I’ve had all positive responses and most people think it’s cool. Some of the questions I get asked are like “is it a duck or a swan?”, “are you going to eat it?”, “have you just caught it?”, you’ve trained it well, “won’t it fly away?”, “is it real?”, “why did you get a goose?”, “is it friendly?” – that sort of thing.’
Karl is raising Emery as an indoor goose and say he requires a lot of commitment.
He said: ‘They make wonderful pets but as an indoor goose he requires a lot more commitment and money spent on him. As an indoor goose, birds can not control their bladders so he needs to wear a diaper harness inside and this is measured to fit him.
‘I take him places with me because he’s still a baby if left alone he’ll call out for me which is unfair on him. Geese are social birds and do better in pairs but if you can’t provide another then you become that other.
‘My family think I’m mad but wouldn’t expect anything different from me and they know I’ve always had a passion for wildlife and nature.’
A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron
