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Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

Goose flies with arrow in neck

Good Samaritan unable to catch it

By: Alexandra Paul

Posted: 05/16/2011 1:00 AM | Comments: 0 (including replies)

Hojat Norouzi wanted to take this Canada goose to Fort Whyte Alive for treatment when he saw it in Crescent Drive Park, but he couldn't catch it. (HOJAT NOROUZI PHOTO)

Every nice day, Winnipegger Hojat Norouzi takes a walk in his favourite park, but on Sunday he practically stumbled over a goose with an arrow shot through its neck.

Not so nice.

"I felt very sad and upset," said Norouzi, who snapped photographic evidence of the wound and then tried to rescue the hapless goose in Crescent Drive Park.

Norouzi said the Fort Whyte Alive wildlife refuge for birds told him they would gladly take the goose, but he would have to capture it and bring it in.

Injured as it was, catching the goose should have been easy, but after repeated tries, he gave up and the goose gave him the slip. Then he contacted the news media.

It was mid-afternoon by the time the goose rescue mission was put on hold and Norouzi sounded frustrated at his inability to capture the bird and angry at whoever put the arrow through its neck.

He said despite the obviously serious injury, the bird was still able to fly. There was no need for this to happen, he said.

Every year, Winnipeggers can expect to hear stories about Canada geese beyond the mess they make in city parks. Sometimes they are stranded or hurt and city residents usually come forward with tales of how they've tried to rescue them.

But this is the first time in recent memory the story has involved an arrow through the neck of one of the birds.

"I believe we need to protect wildlife," Norouzi said. "In this situation, it is a goose that was wandering freely in the park and adding life to the natural beauty that we see in this beautiful, quiet park."

He said he hates cruelty to animals. "I don't think it's fair or human to harm animals. It is important to educate our children and neighbours to respect all kinds of life."

alexandra.paul@freepress.mb.ca

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition May 16, 2011 A8

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