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Famous Echo Park Goose Gets Temporary Digs At LA Zoo

LOS ANGELES (CBS) — Echo Park's celebrity goose is settling into her new, temporary home at the Los Angeles Zoo while the lake is being drained as part of restoration project.

Maria became famous for her friendship with 65-year-old retired investor Dominic Ehrler, a regular visitor at the lake.

Regulars are unfazed by the sight of Maria waiting at the curb to greet Ehrler as he arrives on his red scooter each morning. Maria began following Ehrler, even though he did not feed her or prompt her, according to cbsnews.com.

As they walk together, Maria often shoos other geese away from Ehrler, going so far as to keep dogs away from her companion. And when its time for Ehrler to go home, Maria tries to with him, flying alongside his scooter.

With Echo Park lake about to undergo a two-year restoration, the Los Angeles Zoo agreed to care for her until the project is finished.

"Maria is a special part of the Echo Park community and we want to make sure she is in a safe place during the restoration project," City Council President Eric Garcetti said. "The L.A. Zoo will take good care of her while her home gets remodeled, and her human friends will still be able to visit her."

Ehrler accompanied Maria to her temporary home on Friday and said "I'm relieved that Maria will be safe and comfortable and not too far from her friends."

He plans to check in on her every now and then.

(©2011 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)

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