Thomas the beloved bisexual goose who spent years in a love triangle with two swans as they raised 68 cygnets has died aged 40.
The exceptionally long-lived bird shunned the female geese in Waimanu Lagoon in Waikanae, north of Wellington, and instead chose a black swan named Henry.
The couple were inseparable for 24 years until a young female swan called Henrietta stole Henry’s heart, making Thomas the third wheel.
Thomas the beloved bisexual goose has died in a bird rehabilitation sanctuary aged 40
He became a local celebrity for his complicated love life, shunning female geese for a black swan named Henry for 24 years
But instead of moving on, Thomas helped raise their 68 cygnets over the next six years, often seen playing uncle to the hatchlings in their nest.
His unusual relationships made him local celebrity with many resident birdwatchers wiling away the day watching his romantic life unfold.
Henry died in 2009 at the aged of 30 and Henrietta soon flew off with another swan, leaving Thomas all along in his old age, sometimes heard crying over his mate.
New female geese arrived and without his soulmate around Thomas finally fathered his own babies – only to have them stolen by another goose called George.
When a young swan named Henrietta stole his soulmate’s heart, Thomas stuck around as a third wheel and helped raise their 68 cygnets over six years
Thomas was often seen playing uncle to the hatchlings in their nest alongside their parents
The elderly bird retired to the Wellington Bird Rehabilitation Trust in 2013 as health issues mounted and cataracts sent him blind.
‘As well as making other blind bird friends to spend his days with Thomas helped foster a couple of broods of cygnets along the way,’ the trust said.
‘[That was] for nostalgic reasons and boy, did he do a good job.
‘He lived for corn on the cob and if it wasn’t there when we put him back into his house at night, he was not happy.’
Henry died in 2009 at the aged of 30 and Henrietta soon flew off with another swan, leaving Thomas all along in his old age, sometimes heard crying over his mate
The elderly bird retired to the Wellington Bird Rehabilitation Trust in 2013 as health issues mounted and cataracts sent him blind
An aging Thomas is fed by a staff member at the trust as he potters around the garden
The organisations, which looks after up to 400 birds a year, said Thomas proved there was ‘life after sight’ for elderly fowl.
‘You were a true inspiration for the work we do and the things we are able to achieve for the animals in our care,’ it said.
‘He was such a special boy and a wonderful character. Thomas, our good friend, we miss you wholeheartedly but may you rest in peace.’
Thomas will be buried next to Henry at the lagoon they called home for most of their lives, after a public ceremony later this month.
The organisations, which looks after up to 400 birds a year, said Thomas proved there was ‘life after sight’ for elderly fowl