‘It’s a traffic hazard’: Family of geese cause rush-hour delays on Hwy. 401

Police were seen escorting a gaggle of geese waddling on the busy highway in Toronto.

A family of geese waddling on Highway 401 Wednesday morning ruffled the feathers of some drivers during rush hour.

CP24’s traffic cameras spotted the geese travelling eastbound on the shoulder of the roadway near Highway 400 just before 10 a.m. Two Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) cruisers were on scene to escort the waterfowl.

At one point, the gaggle crossed into live lanes of traffic, bringing cars in the collector lanes to a halt, before the geese were corralled by officers at the scene.

OPP Const. Taylor Konkle told CTV News that local animal services were later able to round up the geese and relocate them to a safe area.

Konkle said most drivers who passed the geese and attending police cruisers adjusted their speed accordingly, but some motorists reportedly sped to get around the obstruction.

“We’re out here for everyone’s safety--even the geese. It’s a traffic hazard, but it’s our job to get the geese off the road safely, and then make the road safe for everybody.”