Canada Goose Holds Entire Parking Lot Hostage for Third Consecutive Hour

A single Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) has effectively shut down the parking lot of a Costco in suburban Milwaukee for the third consecutive hour, stationing itself at the entrance and aggressively challenging all comers, including motorists, pedestrians, shopping cart attendants, and one police officer who described the encounter as 'the most threatening thing I've faced in sixteen years on the force.' The goose, estimated to weigh approximately 14 pounds, arrived at approximately 10:15 AM and immediately assumed what witnesses describe as 'a posture of absolute territorial dominion' in the center of the parking lot entrance. 'It just stood there, neck extended, wings slightly spread, making direct eye contact with every car that approached,' said shopper Linda Bramble. 'Three SUVs turned around. A man in a pickup truck tried to inch past it and the goose charged the vehicle. He reversed out of the lot at speed.' Store manager Phil Andersen called the police, who dispatched Officer Kyle Dettmer. Dettmer's body camera footage, obtained through a public records request, shows him approaching the goose slowly, saying 'hey buddy, let's just—' before the goose lunges forward with a hiss. The footage then shows approximately forty seconds of rapid backward movement and what appears to be Officer Dettmer retreating to his patrol car. 'I'm not equipped for this,' Dettmer is heard telling dispatch. 'We need animal control. Or possibly the National Guard.' A wildlife biologist consulted by phone noted that the behavior is 'entirely typical for Branta canadensis' and suggested 'simply waiting until it leaves on its own terms, which is really the only option with geese.'