Mario (goose) facts for kids

Mario was a famous goose who lived in Echo Park, Los Angeles. He became well-known in 2011 because of his special friendship with a local man named Dominic Ehrler. Mario was a Toulouse goose, a type of large domestic goose.

People at the park knew Mario for many years. He preferred being around humans instead of other geese. He would sometimes nudge park visitors or follow people walking and running. At first, people thought Mario was a female goose and called him Maria.

Mario's Special Friendship

Dominic Ehrler, a retired salesman, first met Mario at Echo Park lake in the summer of 2010. Mario started following Dominic on his daily walks around the lake. The goose quickly became very attached to Dominic.

Every morning, Mario would wait by the road for Dominic to arrive at the park. Mario would walk right beside Dominic. He would even try to "protect" Dominic from other park visitors and their dogs. Mario also tried to follow Dominic home! He would fly close behind Dominic's scooter. Dominic sometimes had to distract Mario or lock him behind a fence to make sure he didn't follow him all the way home.

A New Home and Name

In April 2011, Mario and the other geese from Echo Park had to move. The park was being restored, and the lake was drained. Mario was temporarily moved to the Los Angeles Zoo and placed in quarantine.

It was at the zoo that veterinarians made an interesting discovery. They found out that Maria was actually a male goose, also known as a gander! So, he was renamed Mario. Zoo officials thought about housing Mario at a children's zoo. They also suggested that the Echo Park geese might move to another lake.

Dominic Ehrler continued to visit Mario at the zoo. He wanted to keep their friendship strong and even thought about moving to Oregon with Mario. Later, plans were made for Mario to live permanently at the zoo. This was a safer place for him after the Echo Park lake was finished.

Mario in a Music Video

Mario also became a bit of a celebrity! He appeared in a music video in 2010. The video was for the song "End Love" by the rock band OK Go. This video has been watched over 15 million times on YouTube.

The band let Mario be a big part of the video. This happened after Mario playfully bit the guitarist, Andy Ross, during filming at the park.

Mario's Passing

Mario passed away peacefully on Friday, June 29, 2018. He died in his sleep from old age at his home at the LA Zoo.

The zoo shared a statement about Mario. They said, "The Los Angeles Zoo is sad to announce the passing of the celebrity, domestic Toulouse goose, Mario. The nine-year-old goose resided at the Winnick Family Children's Zoo for the last seven years until his passing on Friday, June 29 due to old age. Mario was an animal that brought joy to many Angelenos, and he will be missed."

Mario's Story Continues

In 2020, a podcast called This is Love shared Mario's story. The episode was about city birds, and Dominic Ehrler himself told Mario's tale.

See also

• List of individual birds