A Canada goose that was struck by an arrow last year was released back into the wild in Squamish, B.C., Sunday after spending two months under the care of veterinarian.
Wildlife photographer Tim Cyr first spotted a goose with an arrow protruding from its body in last summer, and immediately knew he had to help.
Read More: Months-long goose chase in Squamish, B.C., after bird shot by arrow
He named the goose Wilson after the volleyball in the movie Castaway and set about trying to capture it so the arrow could be safely removed by a veterinarian.
In January, Cyr finally captured the wily goose near a golf course, with help from a wildlife expert with a net gun.
“I just couldn’t stand watching him hop around with that arrow sticking out of him,” Cyr told CTV News.
“He had it in there at least seven months, and he could have had it in there longer,” he said.
Wilson was taken to Dewdney Animal Hospital in Maple Ridge where lead veterinarian Dr. Adrian Walton and his team were tasked with removing the arrow.
“When we took the X-rays we were amazed at how close the arrow was to causing permanent damage,” Walton told CTV News.
“An inch to the left or an inch to the right... we would not be having this story today,” he said.
Despite some challenges, Walton and his team were able to remove the arrow. Wilson was then sent to MARS Animal Hospital in the Comox Valley where he would spend the next two months recovering.
Cyr, the vets who took care of Wilson and several other wildlife enthusiasts gathered at a park Sunday to watch the bird fly away back into the wild.
Before he was let go however, Walton was tasked with giving him one last check up.
“I was amazed actually because of the size of the injury, I was expecting to feel scar tissue and for him to maybe have a limp,” he said.
“It looks like its completely healed up,” he continued.
Cyr couldn’t help but smile ear to ear as he watched the bird he spent months trying to rescue return back into his natural habitat
“It’s been a long haul, but I’m really happy for him.”
