Two Canadian geese, shot with arrows, were first spotted in cottage country north of Toronto.
Both birds had been impaled by arrows, probably a month ago, yet somehow were swimming in Lake Couchiching.
They had eluded — and worried — cottagers for weeks.
On Monday, the Orillia Fish and Game Club used a nets and a canoe to scoop up the first goose, which was handed over to veterinarians and the Shades of Hope Wildlife Refuge for treatment and care.
“August 1st, this young goose was still standing after enduring the pain of an arrow through its body for some time,” the sanctuary posted on Facebook this week. “Xrays confirmed the positioning in the graphite shaft in the body.”
It’s incredibly disturbing.
The surgery was no small feat.
Veterinarians needed to remove the arrow, close ruptured air-sacs and stitch up the bird and move him into recovery.
But the bird is on the mend.
Which is amazing, considering this.
It’s truly a miracle, but there was still more to do.
There was a second injured bird out in the wilderness.
And, that second goose did not want to be caught.
A day later, there was hope.
Deb Halbot photographed the entire rescue effort.
And then, success.
The goose was captured.
Surgery was also performed.
And more evidence of abuse was discovered beyond the crossbow attack.
Deb Halbot posted this update:
“In addition to the arrow, four bullets from two different guns were removed!
🙁 I can’t imagine the pain and trauma this poor bird has had to suffer for weeks! “
Environment and Climate Change Canada told CTV Barrie it is investigating complaints called into the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry.
