Mother goose claims squatter's rights on condo balcony

Derek Zukowski was all goosed up for spring.

"Normally I like to spend a lot of time out on the deck, especially because it's getting nicer out. But I think she kind ofgot her own space now, so I'll have to respect that."

"She" is an ornery motherCanada Goose, who happened to choose Zukowski'sbalcony as the perfect spotto lay her egg, choosing a planter as the ideal spot.

Zukowskiand hisfamily live on the top floor of a sprawlingTerwillegar condo complex in southwest Edmonton a property he is now sharingwith theexpectant and unyielding mother.

Zukowski called several government wildlife agencies, but they all told him the same thing.

"They basically said just to leave it and hopefully let mother nature run its course," he said.

Canada geese are protected by federal laws andtampering with their nest could end up inhefty fines, even prison.

"There isn't really a concrete plan in place to get these things to a safe environment,"Zukowskisaid."When it happens to you, all you want is for this animal to be safe in the end."

One Edmontonwildlife expert saidgeese don't usually nest on balconies, but it's something thatcould become more common as cities consume more wildlands.