The net gun has been purchased from Squamish donations

The net gun has been purchased, thanks to Squamish generosity. The Wildlife Rescue Association of BC (WRA) says that it has purchased the net gun from the donations local wildlife volunteer Tim Cyr spearheaded with a GoFundMe campaign. Cyr was behind the rescue of Wilson, the Canada goose that had been seen around Squamish for months with an arrow sticking out of its rump.

In October, Cyr launched the campaign to help the wildlife rescue centre purchase the gun to be able to rescue the injured and—for seven months—elusive bird. The tool, which allows wildlife to be captured in a humane way, shoots a net out and over the animal. The online fundraising campaign garnered $3,300 in local donations, within hours of launching, Cyr transferred the funds to the Burnaby-based rescue centre, but then there was no word about the net gun for months.



In the end, Cyr and fellow conservationists engaged wildlife biologist Myles Lamont of TerraFauna Wildlife Consulting Inc., who volunteered his time, expertise and net gun. Wilson was captured with that net gun on Jan.

14 . The net gun paid for with Squamish donations arrived on Valentine’s Day, a spokesperson for WRA said, though the spokesperson did not reply to whether the gun would be in immediate operations or next steps. “Everyone at Wildlife Rescue is very appreciative of this lifesaving gift and the generosity of the Squamish community,” the spokesperson said.

Meanwhile, after his capture and critical veterinary care , Wilson was transferred to MARS Wildlife Rescue , near Courtenay on Vancouver Island. He is said to be recovering well there and will eventually be released. "He is eating well on his own and continues to be very feisty," a MARS spokesperson said in an email on Feb.

21. "When we feel he is ready to move outside, we will start work on weatherproofing his feathers, before [readying him] for release.” ~With a file from Indigo Lemay-Conway/The Squamish Chief.