07.07.2026 12:40
Geese in Balıkesir Erdek, who were complained about last year for entering the sea and confined to a coop, have returned to the shore with the arrival of summer. The flock of geese, which also adopted a duckling without parents, became the center of attention for holidaymakers.
In the Erdek district of Balıkesir, geese that were locked in a coop last year after being reported for entering the sea, and were released under the condition that they would not go into the sea or go outside following a DHA news report, have now mingled with holidaymakers again as summer arrives. The flock of geese, which stroll along the beach and enter the sea, has also adopted an orphaned duckling with no parents.
Mehmet Keşniş, a father of two living in Erdek district, is known in his area for his love of animals. Keşniş, who runs both a cafe and camping service in Sahil Mahallesi, began his farm life 12 years ago when he bought 2 geese on a friend's advice to eat the grass in his garden. Over time, the number of geese increased. Keşniş did not slaughter or sell the geese that grew in his garden. Every morning, the geese would leave the cafe garden in a flock, and for years, they would go down to the beach and enter the sea. While the geese, whose numbers increased over the years, became a center of attention for those around, those who were disturbed by this situation complained to CİMER last year, and officials from the District Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry asked Keşniş not to let the geese out or take them to the sea.
THEY STAYED IN THE COOP FOR 1 MONTH After the DHA news report, a 'conditional release' came for the geese, which were locked in the coop to avoid penalties, on July 22, 2025. Following the report, officials from the District Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry told Keşniş that the geese could be removed from the coop on the condition that they do not enter the sea or go outside. Mehmet Keşniş and his daughter Başak Keşniş, upon receiving the decision, released the geese, which had been confined to the coop for 1 month, into the garden. The geese, allowed to be removed from the coop on the condition that they do not enter the sea or go outside, wandered in the garden and cooled off with water placed in containers.
A DUCKLING ALSO JOINED THEM The geese mingled with holidaymakers again this year as summer arrived. Starting from early morning, the geese left the garden where their coop is located and began going down to the beach, once again becoming the center of attention. A duckling also joined the flock of geese that stroll along the beach and enter the sea. The geese adopted the orphaned duckling with no parents and included it in the flock.
'EVERYONE IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE GEESE' Mehmet Keşniş, stating that the geese freely wandering and entering the sea makes not only them but also the local residents happy, said, "People are curious and ask about the geese. I go to the market, they ask about the geese. I walk on the road, they ask about the geese. Everyone is concerned about the geese. The geese are constantly in the spotlight. This year, a baby duck has also joined the geese. The duckling was wandering alone, unprotected. Dogs and cats were bothering it. The geese took it under their protection. As if they understood that it needed protection. Now they hang out together. They go into the sea together. The geese graze, but since the duck cannot graze, the poor thing cannot find food. It manages with whatever insects it catches. It tries to keep up with them. The duckling benefits a little from the bread given by visitors. Everyone is happy with their lives," he said.
'THEY ADDED COLOR TO THE BEACH' A holidaymaker, stating that they are happy to see the geese again on the beach with the arrival of summer, said, "I saw it in the news last year, a few people complained about this situation, but I think there is nothing to complain about. I think they add vitality to the environment. We are very pleased with the geese; the geese are the mascots of this place. Every holidaymaker who comes loves them and takes photos. The children are even happier; they play with the geese. They added color to the beach," she said.