A shadow of grief hangs over Riverside Cemetery as the community mourns the sudden and unexpected loss of Scout, their recently adopted goose. Just when it seemed Frankie, the resident goose, had found a new companion after a previous heartbreak, tragedy struck again. But what could have caused this seemingly healthy bird to pass away so suddenly?
Scout, a beautiful one-and-a-half-year-old Emden goose, arrived at Riverside Cemetery in November, bringing hope and companionship to Frankie, who had been grieving the loss of his mate, Blossom. Blossom was tragically killed by a vehicle in October, leaving Frankie alone and heartbroken. The staff and visitors alike were delighted to see Frankie bonding with Scout, and the cemetery grounds felt a little brighter.
However, that joy was short-lived. Last Sunday, Scout was found dead. Riverside Cemetery General Manager Kelly Schott expressed her shock and sadness, stating that Scout had shown no signs of illness just the day before. "She was just fine," Schott recalled. "It was a complete surprise."
To understand the cause of Scout's untimely death, her body was transported to the state veterinarian in Des Moines for a thorough necropsy (animal autopsy). This comprehensive examination will explore various potential factors, including avian flu, stress, and the possibility of Scout having ingested something harmful. "We're going to check for avian flu and other factors such as stress, if someone fed her something… It will be a complete necropsy," Schott explained. The results of the necropsy will be made public as soon as they become available.
And this is the part most people miss: the challenges of introducing a new goose to an existing flock, especially during the colder months. Schott emphasized that the cemetery will wait until spring before searching for another companion for Frankie. This decision is driven by two key considerations: minimizing stress on a new goose (especially one potentially raised indoors) and mitigating the risk of avian flu.
"We will start when the weather is warmer, because we do not want undue stress on a goose who might have been raised inside," Schott stated. "Also, we want to hold off because of the avian flu. We have a couple hundred geese here now, and we need to think about the health and safety of the flock."
The threat of avian flu, specifically the H5N1 strain, has been a concern in Iowa, with reports of migrating geese succumbing to the illness in December. While no birds at Riverside Cemetery were showing symptoms at that time, the staff remains vigilant in monitoring the flock. Any deceased birds will be promptly removed to prevent potential spread of disease.
There were a few instances where some geese appeared dizzy, but Schott noted that they recovered quickly. "We're not worried about it at this time," she assured.
But here's where it gets controversial... Some argue that more proactive measures should be taken, such as temporary quarantine or enhanced monitoring, even in the absence of clear symptoms. What do you think? Is the current approach sufficient to protect the flock, or should Riverside Cemetery consider implementing additional preventative measures?
Schott also mentioned that since she became the manager in January 2025, the only bird deaths prior to Scout's were two geese found frozen to the pond. These geese, it was determined, had simply succumbed to the elements while sleeping on thin ice and showed no signs of illness. "Nature is nature," Schott said poignantly. "I wish it was preventative, and we can’t quarantine the birds as they are not a captive flock."
The loss of Scout has been deeply felt by the Riverside Cemetery community. "This was heartbreaking. Scout was such a fun goose. We were happy to have her here and she was happy to be here, paddling away on the lake. She had gotten along fine with the other birds. Scout was home."
As Riverside Cemetery mourns the loss of Scout, everyone is left wondering what the future holds for Frankie and what steps can be taken to ensure the health and safety of the entire flock. What are your thoughts on the best way to balance the needs of individual animals with the well-being of the larger goose population at Riverside Cemetery? Share your opinions and suggestions in the comments below.
[Contact Lana Bradstream at 641-753-6611 ext. 210 or lbradstream@timesrepublican.com.]
