Published Jun 09, 2025 • Last updated 13 hours ago • 2 minute readThis Canada goose that was found with an arrow it its wing survived the injury and was found to have also been shot twice. – Hope for WildlifeThe Canada goose is known for its aggressiveness and toughness. It doesn’t get nicknamed the chicken cobra without good reason.That toughness was evident when Hope for Wildlife was called last month about one of the honkers.The bird was found swimming with an arrow through its wing in early May.Once volunteers from the rescue and rehab organization arrived, they eventually were able to corral the goose, which was still able to swim and not easy to catch up with on paddle boards.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentIt was then taken to Hope for Wildlife so a vet could take a gander at the injury, organization founder Hope Swinimer said. This Canada goose that was found with an arrow it its wing survived the injury and was found to have also been shot twice. – Hope for Wildlife photoBut the examination also showed that along with surviving the arrow, the bird had pellets from a pellet gun and some shot from a shotgun blast in its body, both of which appeared to be from some time ago. The birdshot was believed to be residual from another bird being hit, Swinimer said. An X-ray of a Canada goose with an arrow through its wing also showed that the bird had survived being shot with a pellet gun and a shotgun. – Hope for Wildlife“The doctor was worried at first (about damage from the arrow),” said Swinimer, who couldn’t get over how lucky the goose was.“It didn’t affect the joint, and then we were worried about the ligaments, but it didn’t affect them,” she said. “It was a miracle the arrow didn’t do more damage. She was able to get it out and (the wing) stitched up and it healed up really well.”The pellets weren’t in an area that would cause any problems and for that reason were left there, Swinimer said.Article contentRead More N.S. premier applauds announced federal defence investments Canada’s looking to buy new subs and new friends: are they in Europe or Asia? “It’s really hard to get in there and get them out, and he’s obviously lived with them in there for a long time already.”She is now using the arrow and the story as part of her weekly talks to the public.“He was either one lucky goose or one unlucky goose, I’m not sure which,” she said. This Canada goose that was found with an arrow it its wing survived the injury and was found to have also been shot twice. – Hope for Wildlife photoThe goose, which also has low-level lead poisoning that is likely related to the pellets, recovered in less than a month and was released.“We got him to his freedom just a couple days ago,” Swinimer said. “He flew a bit and then landed nicely on the water.”It’s not the first miracle survivor at Hope for Wildlife. A few years back a coyote was brought in that had a broken back, had been shot and was missing a leg.Article content
Tough Canada goose survives being shot with three weapons
