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What you are about to see is no fairy tale. A flock of Geese has called a state office complex home and are at times attacking state workers. As Mike Vasilinda tells us, the state has even issued warnings about how employees should deal with the geese.

These geese are calling a state office complex home. But they’re not co-existing very well with th employees that were already there. The Geese have charged more than one worker including Gwendolyn Harris who works at the Department of Health.

“Never turn you back on them” she says.

Q:Never turn your back?”

“No. No. They can be aggressive.”

One woman was even taken to the hospital after she got out of her car, was surprised by a hissing goose, and fell and hit her head. In an email, the state says it’s top priority is the safety and wellbeing of the employees. It added We are also focused on supporting this employee and making sure she has a quick and speedy recovery.

Savannah Bunkley, a Dept. of Agriculture Employee, finds the geese unsettling.

“They hiss at you.”

Q:The hiss at you?

“Yes..scratchy.”

Q:How did you feel when that happened? Scary?”

“Yeah.

Confrontations are not unusual. Hundreds of state health workers are encouraged to stay healthy by walking during breaks and lunch.

”they leave alone. I leave them alone” said one walker.

Pat Simmons of the St. Francis Wildlife Association says the Geese are just trying to protect their nests.

“Well, I don’t think they are trying to scare people but they’re trying to keep them away from their nests. So, if some somebody has inadvertently walked too close to a nest, the goose is going to tell them to get back” says Simmons.

The Department of Health has even issued warning for state employees. Among them: Don’t make eye contact.

The geese will remain until the goslings learn to fly, which means it could be a long hot summer until the geese leave this fall. But even then, there’s a good chance they’ll be back next Winter.

The state has put up decoys to scare the geese from building entrances. It also has a permit to move the nests if its determined it is too close to a high traffic area.