(SHANNON AINSLIE / iNFOnews.ca)

A Canada goose in the Shuswap survived being stuck with a hunting arrow and has been successfully returned to the wild.

It was spotted by a family from the shores of Shuswap Lake with an arrow sticking out of it a few weeks ago, and with help from a Conservation Officer, they were able to rescue it, cut off part of the arrow and get it into a crate for transport to the health centre at the BC Wildlife Park, according to a media post by the park.

“Upon admittance, our rehabilitation team put the goose under anesthesia and assessed the position of the arrow in its wing,” the post reads. “With no fractures or bone involvement, they were able to pull the arrow out of the three layers of impacted tissue (shoulder, wing, and forearm area). The wound sites were flushed and due to the contamination to the wound site it was allowed to heal on its own, with no stitching.”

After a couple of weeks of antibiotic and pain control treatment, the bird was healthy and ready to be returned to its mate.

The BC Wildlife Park posted a video of the bird being rescued and then treated, but warned the public it shows some graphic photos.

Just two months ago, a goose was found stuck with an arrow in Vernon near the Creekside Village Senior’s complex but didn’t survive. The team at Warren Peace Bunny Sanctuary in Lake Country was able to capture the bird and get it to vet care where it was put down due to the extent of its injuries.

“The arrow that was used is a hunting arrow for a deer or moose, it’s super sharp and does a lot of damage,” sanctuary owner Antoinette Monod in an interview with iNFOnews, April 25. “Even if they got the arrowhead out, the damage created would have cause the bird to suffer. Some person went out with a huge hunting arrow and deliberately shot a goose then left it to suffer and die.”

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In the post by the BC Wildlife Park, gratitude was expressed for the help from the "good Samaritans," the British Columbia Conservation Service Society and the supportive team at the health centre. 

Canada Geese are protected and conserved under the Migratory Birds Convention Act, which prohibits people from harming them. The federal government has policies and regulations to protect migratory birds and manages hunting of migratory game birds. It works with other organizations to conserve the birds and their habits, and provides permits for specified activities.

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You can report poaching by calling the RAPP (Report All Poachers and Polluters) at 1-877-952-7277 or online here.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Shannon Ainslie or call 250-819-6089 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

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