A local wildlife volunteer behind the rescue of Wilson, the Canada goose, has raised concerns over a net gun that has yet to arrive—four months after GoFundMe money was raised for its purchase.
Squamish’s Tim Cyr spent more than seven months trying to capture Wilson, the famous goose that had an 80-centimetre (31-inch) arrow sticking out of its rump, before he was finally caught on Jan. 14.
Back on Oct. 1, Cyr launched a GoFundMe page to raise funds for a net gun—a non-lethal weapon designed to fire a net which entangles the target—in a bid to catch Wilson quickly and effectively.
In just over six hours from launching the fundraiser, Cyr reached his $2,000 goal. Three days later, they had gathered $3,300 in community donations, and so the GoFundMe was closed.
Cyr organized to have the money sent to the Wildlife Rescue Association of BC, a Burnaby-based rescue centre he had worked with in the past.
But almost four months later, he claims the net gun was never purchased, and he wants to know why.
Wildlife efforts
Cyr told The Squamish Chief that his plan was always to donate the money raised to the Wildlife Rescue Association of BC, a place where he had previously taken around 15 injured birds.
“The plan from day one was to donate it to Wildlife Rescue for a net gun. They [didn't] receive the money until the end of October, but during the whole month, I sent links with net guns and stuff to [a member of staff],” Cyr said.
“So when they did get the money, they'd be ready to go.”
But months—and one rescued goose—later, he says he still doesn’t know where the net gun is.
“They won't even talk to me now. It's been over three months, and there's nothing. I don't know what's going on. They won't answer my calls or anything about whether or not they got the net gun.
“I thought I was doing a good deed. I spent seven months looking after this damn goose, following him around … but it’s just been radio silence [from them].”
While waiting for the net gun to be purchased, Cyr said he went on his own mission to find someone nearby who had the tool so they could try and capture Wilson.
Eventually, he found wildlife biologist Myles Lamont of TerraFauna Wildlife Consulting Inc., who volunteered his time, expertise and net gun.
“It took him an hour, less than an hour, to catch him when he showed up,” Cyr said.
Cyr reached out to GoFundMe to see if he could get a refund of the net gun money through them.
But said he received an email stating that “the donations you have raised have already been sent to the charity directly. Since the funds are no longer in our system, we are unable to issue refunds on our end.”
Ultimately, he said he would be satisfied if the rescue association bought the net gun.
“The people of Squamish want to know where the net gun is ... I have been getting calls and emails from people asking for an update,” he said.
Wildlife Rescue Association of BC response
On Feb. 6, The Squamish Chief reached out to the Wildlife Rescue Association of BC to inquire if the net gun had been purchased with the GoFundMe money.
Marketing manager Marina Schwarz said that the group are “working diligently” to acquire the tool.
“We’re thrilled about the wonderful news that Wilson has finally been caught and is now receiving the care he so desperately needed!” Schwarz said in an emailed response to The Squamish Chief.
“We are deeply appreciative of the generous donations raised through GoFundMe for purchasing a net gun. We have been working diligently to acquire this rescue tool that is now on order. We will be communicating directly with the donors who contact us.
“We are delighted that Wilson is receiving care, and we’re immensely grateful for the kindness and generosity of the Wildlife Community, making this story a win for everyone involved.”
Meanwhile, Wilson is recovering from his ordeal at MARS Wildlife Rescue, in Comox. He will be released back into the wild at a later date.
