PAGE 7
ZEPHYR IS BACK!
Local favourite reopens at The BAG
THURSDAY, JANUARY 23, 2025
in July, on the Mamquam Blind Channel by an area conservation officer, who alerted local agencies, according to a news release from Squamish naturalists who were involved in the goose’s tracking and rescue. Local wildlife photographer Tim Cyr spotted and began tracking Wilson. Cyr, with the help of other locals, followed Wilson’s movements for months. Rescue efforts were attempted but failed. Concern increased that Wilson would succumb to the injury if he were to try to pull it out or it got snagged on something. A team of experienced naturalists came together to help and later enlisted the assistance of wildlife biologist Myles Lamont of TerraFauna Wildlife Consulting Inc., who volunteered his time, expertise and specialized net gun. At the start of the new year, Cyr hadn’t seen Wilson around Squamish for a few weeks and was getting worried. Then he got a call from someone in Furry Creek saying they had seen Wilson on the golf course there. Cyr headed down to the area, and when he didn’t see Wilson, he talked to a few folks in the area and asked them to be in touch if they saw the elusive goose. On Jan. 14, the group of experienced naturalists—who don’t want to be named in this story—made their way to Furry Creek. Wilson recognizes Cyr and his car, so he had to stay hidden in some bushes during the capture so as not to scare the bird away. This time, Wilson was gently captured on the golf course green with a net gun, which shoots a net around the animal to safely keep it from flying away. While it was a team effort to track and rescue Wilson, it was Lamont who carefully snagged
After more than seven months, Wilson has been captured, and the plastic arrow sticking out of his rump has been removed JENNIFER THUNCHER
jthuncher@squamishchief.com
N
AMAZING VIEWS!
See our special section on your money
PAGE 14
S Q U A M I S H C H I E F. C O M
FROM INJURY TO RECOVERY: THE HEARTWARMING STORY OF WILSON THE GOOSE
ever underestimate what humans who work together can do to help an animal in need. That is the takeaway from the Wilson the Canadian goose saga. After more than seven months, Wilson, the adult goose with the 80-centimetre (31-inch) arrow sticking out of its rump, has been captured, the arrow removed, and is now recovering with expert care. The story began when Wilson, who was named by locals after the basketball in the movie Cast Away—was shot with the plastic arrow near Sechelt. The arrow was embedded in the left flank of the goose, leaving the arrow trailing out behind its back end. Concerned residents tried to capture the unfortunate goose there but were unsuccessful. It was then spotted last summer in Squamish,
Financial Focus
FILE PHOTO BY TIM CYR
Wilson before the arrow was removed.
WILSON: Continued on 2
#4-1026 GLACIER VIEW DR.
• Panoramic views! Spectacular views of Howe Sound and mountains • 2,219 sq ft of spacious living with modern kitchen & gas fireplace • Very bright with 2 south facing balconies • 3 bedrooms, plus spacious flex room for gym, office or entertainment area, 3 bathrooms • Double garage, laundry room & plenty of storage spaces $1,210,000
#200-1455 Bellevue Avenue, West Vancouver, BC, V7T 1C3