National Geographic Kids USA - June, July 2017

Incredible

Animal

Friends

In

cre

di

ble

Animal

Friends

9

Gisborne, New Zealand

A big Highland bull like Hamish probably doesn’t need a bodyguard, but this goose disagrees. When

the bull is grazing in the pasture, the goose watches for cattle that—in the bird’s opinion—get way

too close. “Then the goose will stretch out his neck, shriek, and chase the other cows and bulls away,”

says Kees Weytsmans, owner of the Knapdale Eco Lodge where the two live.

Hamish and the goose have been inseparable for 10 years—ever since the bird was found resting

on Hamish’s leg a week after the bull was born. Since then, the goose has rarely left Hamish’s side.

Weytsmans once moved Hamish to another rancher’s pasture for a few nights. But one evening

apart was all the goose could stand. “The next afternoon the goose traveled all by himself to the

other pasture to find Hamish,” he says. And though Hamish doesn’t seem as eager for friendship as

the goose, the bull doesn’t mind his bodyguard. Otherwise, this bull would ruffle some feathers!

REBECCA GRUNWELL / THE GISBORNE HERALD (BOTH)

ever

DOMESTIC GOOSE

ORIGIN Europe and Asia

WEIGHT 5 to 10 pounds

CLAIM TO FAME The

goose is thought to be

one of the first animals

to be domesticated, prob-

ably in Egypt about 3,

years ago.

FUN TO KNOW The wing-

span of a domestic goose

can be six feet wide.

HIGHLAND BULL

ORIGIN Scotland; these

bulls were brought to Aus-

tralia (near New Zealand)

by Scottish immigrants

WEIGHT 1,500 to 1,

pounds

CLAIM TO FAME

Highland cattle grow two

coats of hair. The coarse

outer layer protects the

animals from wind and

rain, and the soft bottom

layer keeps them warm.

FUN TO KNOW Experts

think Highland cattle have

been around since the

sixth century.

BY KAIT GALLAGHER

GOOSE GUARDS BULL

i love ya,

but i think

your coat

needs

washing.

step

away

from the

bull!

, yg ,