Cop Runs Over Gosling While Attempting To Clear Geese From Arkansas Interstate

A dashcam recording shows an Arkansas State Police trooper running over a gosling while attempting to clear a herd of geese from Interstate 57 near East Republican Road on Sunday morning.

The incident unfolded after two geese, each with a gosling, were seen trying to cross the highway, prompting drivers to swerve to avoid them.

The trooper responded and attempted to move the animals along the right shoulder using his patrol vehicle while traffic continued moving nearby.

During the effort, he contacted Arkansas Game and Fish wardens for guidance on how to handle the situation.

Wardens advised that removing the geese was not feasible and said an officer on scene would take similar action, noting that they also lacked practical methods to safely capture them.

The footage shows repeated movement of the geese across the roadway, including moments when they end up behind the patrol car, forcing the trooper to reverse and reposition.

As the recording continues, the goslings and one adult goose are no longer visible, while the remaining adult goose is later seen flying away.

Arkansas State Police head Col. Mike Hagar later addressed the incident, saying the trooper spent 26 minutes trying to move the geese off the interstate. He said the trooper contacted wildlife officials, assisted bystanders who stopped to help, and exhausted available options in a “lose-lose scenario” involving serious risk to motorists on the highway.

He added that safety concerns for human life were the key factor in the response and emphasized the danger of sudden slowdowns on interstates.

The incident prompted widespread criticism and an official review, with officials reiterating the risks posed by wildlife on high-speed roads.