Blind, bisexual goose remembered

A blind, bisexual goose has been remembered with a gravestone plaque, next to where his swan partner lies.

Thomas the goose died earlier this year aged 40, and was buried next to Henry the swan, his partner of nearly 30 years, on the edge of the Ka¯piti Coast lagoon they called home.

Last week, a commemorative plaque was unveiled during an informal ceremony, Waikanae man Mik Peryer said.

‘‘This is the end, the love story is over.’’

Thomas and Henry spent 18 years together before they were joined by another swan, Henrietta.

Peryer, who guides tours around Waikanae’s Waimanu Lagoon and spent 26 years watching the birds, said they became icons.

The feathered threesome raised 68 cygnets together before Henry’s death in 2009; Henrietta flew off with another swan and Thomas was left ‘‘heartbroken and crying for his friend’’.

Thomas eventually fathered his own babies but they were stolen by another goose, named George, who raised them as his own. ‘‘You would see George and the babies with Thomas just following them around.’’

Failing eyesight and attacks by swans saw Thomas rehomed to the Wellington Bird Rehabilitation Trust in 2013, where he spent his final years eating corn and raising orphaned cygnets.

On Saturday, about 50 people – including author Peta Mathias – turned up for the unveiling, Peryer said.

‘‘The council came to the party with the stone and our local funeral home provided the plaque, it was brilliant.’’

It was sad to think the love story was over but the birds’ tale would live on in people’s memories. ‘‘It’s something that needed to be done, the story touched a lot of people, particularly that he was gay.’’

Wellington Bird Rehabilitation Trust owner Craig Shepherd cared for Thomas in his later years and said he was a character.

‘‘He was a gentleman, he was kind to every other bird he bumped into, literally.’’

He hoped Thomas’ story would make people think about birds being thinking, feeling creatures.

Ka¯piti Coast Mayor K Gurunathan spoke at the unveiling and said Thomas’ life made for an amazing story.

‘‘It’s made Thomas the goose the feather ambassador for inclusiveness and kindness.’’

‘‘This is the end, the love story is over.’’ Bird watcher Mik Peryer

Above, Thomas the goose with Henry and Henrietta with their brood; left, Thomas and Henry the swan with their babies; right, the plaque for Thomas at Waikanae Lagoon.