Months-long goose chase in Squamish, B.C., after bird shot by arrow
For more than two months, a Squamish, B.C., man has been leading his community and a local wildlife rescue on a wild goose chase – literally.
Tim Cyr, a wildlife photographer, first saw the goose – now named Wilson – in mid-July. He's been trying to capture the wily animal ever since, in an attempt to get the bird into the care of people who can safely and surgically remove an arrow that is stuck in the bird's backside.
The problem is, the arrow hasn’t really slowed Wilson down.
"He does everything a goose does, except he's got this big arrow sticking out of him," Cyr told CTV News.
Video and photos, taken by Cyr, show the goose paddling in water, running on land and hanging out with a gaggle. But it's the fact that Wilson can still fly that has thwarted efforts to trap the bird.
"He's just too smart," Cyr told CTV News, noting that he's been joined by others in his attempt to capture Wilson.
"We've actually herded him right into a soccer goalpost. And he turned around, flew right back out the other way. He lands about 50 yards away. Then he just starts foraging and wiggling his little tail, and the little arrow is wiggling."
Since he first spotted the goose and started "following him around" Cyr has been in regular contact with the Wildlife Rescue Association of B.C. who have sent teams out on several occasions to help try to catch the goose.
"Every time it has evaded us," says wildlife support manager Jackie McQuillan.
"The arrow is not interfering with the movement of the wings or the legs, so the bird is still able to forage. And we've seen that since July that the ability to move around and find food has been really uninhibited, which makes our job very, very difficult."
Still, there's "no doubt" that the arrow is causing the bird pain and discomfort, McQuillan adds, saying the situation also brings a risk of infection and further injury.
"It's a very sad scenario," she says.
Still, she says she is "optimistic" about the prospects of Wilson being captured, cared for and then returned to the wild.
One reason for her optimism is Cyr, who has been near-relentless in his pursuit – even taking days off work to try to help the bird.
The other is the support he's mobilized for his efforts.
"I haven't given up hope. And I don't think that Squamish has given up hope in this goose either," she says.
Cyr's most recent push to capture Wilson involved setting up an online fundraiser to buy a net gun to donate to the wildlife rescue and used to capture the elusive goose. The $2,000 goal was met in mere hours.
"The community has been awesome," Cyr said.
"A lot of people are cheering for him. Like, everybody knows about him. It's just a matter of trying to catch him."
No one knows how or where the goose was shot with the arrow, although it's likely Wilson is the same goose spotted in June in Sechelt – which is more than 50 kilometres away, if flying in a straight line.
"He's a survivor. That's how we got the name Wilson, from the movie Cast Away," Cyr says.
The arrow Wilson was shot with is designed for target shooting and Cyr suspects whoever shot Wilson was not actually hunting at the time.
Regardless of how the goose got shot, Cyr says he thinks the situation is "horrible."
"I'd like to catch the person and shoot him in the butt with the arrow."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'It really hurts': The impact of Trump's lies in Springfield, Ohio
Springfield, Ohio was once a manufacturing hub. Now, people know it for Trump's comments at September's presidential debate, when he famously - and falsely - told an audience of 67 million people that Haitians eat their pets, echoing claims that had circulated on social media.
Auto theft probe leads to arrest of 59 suspects, recovery of more than 300 stolen vehicles: Toronto police
Toronto police say 59 suspects are facing a total of 300 charges in connection with an auto theft and re-vinning probe.
Ont. woman posed as registered nurse in Simcoe County for 4 years: OPP
An Ontario woman is facing serious charges after police allege she pretended to be a registered nurse at several Simcoe County facilities, despite being unqualified.
B.C. mayor's 'luxury' trip to Dubai climate conference was against ethics rules: commissioner
New Westminster Mayor Patrick Johnstone's all-expenses-paid trip to Dubai for a climate conference last December violated the city's Code of Conduct for Council Members and the Community Charter, the city's ethics commissioner has ruled.
At-home brain stimulation relieves symptoms of depression, study finds
A headset worn at home that zaps the brain with the energy of a 9-volt battery could help relieve symptoms of depression, a new study shows.
WATCH 'It's mind-boggling': Drought reveals U.S. town submerged in the 1940s
Hundreds of people are flocking to see a rare site in Pennsylvania: remnants of a historic town that is usually underwater.
Eva Longoria is still making money off of 'John Wick'
In an interview with Business Insider, Longoria talked about investing in the 2014 hit movie after the budget fell short before filming began.
Democrats Abroad Canada warns U.S. voters to take action ahead of possible Canada Post strike
Democrats Abroad Canada is warning Americans that a potential postal workers strike this weekend could affect the ability to vote in next week's election.
Caught on camera: Edmonton police run over woman during welfare call
An Edmonton Police Service officer was caught on camera running over a woman with a marked cruiser last month.