Community Corner
Maria the Goose's Biggest Fan Hospitalized
The gender-bending goose's well-known companion Dominic Ehrler breaks a leg in a tussle with scooter.
Dominic Ehrler, of Maria-the-goose-and-Dominic fame, said the goose warned him. Last Thursday, June 16, Ehrler was at the zoo, visiting Maria, who now lives at the children's exhibit. When it was time to go, Maria started squawking nervously in a way he (Maria's a boy) hasn't done since the bird still lived at Echo Park Lake.
Ehrler took note, but took his leave, riding his scooter back to Echo Park. As he parked on Sutherland, he got his foot stuck in the vehicle somehow. The scooter fell, Ehrler rolled on the slope and a "twist" break in his lower leg was the result.
The neighbors, Ehrler said, came out immediately. One of them turned out to be a medic for an ambulance company-- a former Army medic --and he drove Ehrler to the hospital. Others got the scooter back to Ehrler's home nearby.
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At Good Samaritan, Ehrler says the doctor and everyone else knew all about Maria the goose.
Meanwhile, Ehrler is determined to be present at Maria's coming out ceremony at the zoo on June 30. (The event is planned for 1:30 p.m.) Ehrler expects to be released from the hospital later Monday or Tuesday.
