A heartbreaking incident has sparked outrage in Wichita, Kansas, where a mother goose and her six goslings were found dead in what witnesses describe as a deliberate act of cruelty. The tragic scene has mobilized community members who are demanding justice and accountability for what appears to be an intentional killing of protected wildlife. Are residents mistaken about what could be ruled as an accidental hit?
A Disturbing Discovery Shocks Community
Seven geese, including a mother and her six goslings, were found dead on a Wichita street in what witnesses believe was an intentional act of cruelty. The birds were reportedly found lined up in a row, suggesting they were systematically struck by a vehicle rather than accidentally hit in a single collision.
Cylie Gillespie, who discovered the tragic scene, described it as nothing short of a “massacre” that left her emotionally devastated. “It was just a massacre of goslings in the street. There was seven of them in a row. There was one hit, one hit, one hit, one hit, like it was over, a good amount of space,” Gillespie told local media, clearly distressed by what she had witnessed.
The pattern of the deaths particularly troubled Gillespie and other community members, who believe this wasn’t a simple accident. “If you hit one, whatever, I guess accidents happen. But to me, it was deliberate due to the fact of how they were all lined up,” explained Gillespie, whose account suggests the driver did not attempt to avoid the birds after the initial impact.
Ummmm guys just an fyi that should be fairly obvious…it is illegal to intentionally run over Geese in most places…I just had to get out of my car and direct all of the birds across the road since people were flying by. Someone almost killed a baby. Slow tf down 🫵🏽 pic.twitter.com/DmMXePGgFv
— Macaiyla (@macaiyla) May 4, 2025
Legal Protections and Community Response
Canada geese are protected under both state and federal law, including the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, making it illegal to harm or kill them without proper permits. The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks has confirmed that intentionally harming these birds constitutes a crime that can lead to significant penalties.
The emotional impact on the community has been profound, with many residents expressing shock and disgust at the apparent cruelty. “I threw up a little bit. I cried, I needed a hug. It was a lot of emotions. I was hurt, I was upset, I was very angry. I was just disgusted with humanity,” Gillespie shared, articulating the deep emotional response felt throughout the community.
Residents are now calling for law enforcement to investigate the incident thoroughly and bring the responsible party to justice. The community’s reaction demonstrates their strong connection to the local wildlife, particularly these geese that return to the area annually during migration season.
Locals say bizarre ‘massacre’ of mother goose and her six tiny goslings in Kansas street was no accident https://t.co/C4px9kEJF0 pic.twitter.com/Y3YpwXlWhl
— New York Post (@nypost) June 5, 2025
Similar Incidents and Official Responses
This isn’t the only recent case of apparent violence against protected geese in the United States. In McCandless, Pennsylvania, a similar incident occurred where a driver allegedly intentionally struck a family of geese outside a shopping center, killing two goslings.
The City of Wichita has acknowledged the incident as “unfortunate” and advised drivers to exercise caution and consideration when encountering wildlife on roadways. Officials note that spring is the breeding season for geese, making these types of encounters more common as the birds often nest near roads and frequently cross with their young.
Advocacy groups point out that geese already face numerous challenges in the modern world, from habitat loss to natural predators. “They’ve got enough challenges in the world right now between natural predators, finding a place to nest and raising young,” noted Jim Bonner of the Audubon Society, speaking about a similar case, highlighting the additional pressures these protected birds face without intentional human cruelty.