A Natick Goose Is Living With An Arrow Through Its Chest. Here's What Officials Will Do

NATICK, MA — A Canada goose living within a wildlife sanctuary in Natick is making news in the community for a severe case of misfortune.

Officials confirmed that a goose within Mass Audubon’s Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary is currently living with a crossbow bolt in its breast.

Photos reviewed by officials seem to indicate that the bird was struck with a crossbow bolt with a field point meant for practice. That's good news, officials said, because if the bolt had a barbed tip it's unlikely the goose would have survived.

MassWildlife biologists and Mass Audubon staff on site are communicating about the next steps, but will likely need to wait at least a week before they can help the injured bird.

"At this time of year, geese begin to molt (seasonal shedding of feathers before replacing) their flight feathers and can be more easily captured," officials said.

"Upon review of the photos, biologists have determined that the goose has not yet molted its flight feathers, which would make capturing very difficult at this time."

Experts expect that molting will likely occur within the next two weeks, at which point MassWildlife will attempt to capture the bird.

"MassWildlife will then consult with Tufts Wildlife Clinic to determine the best course of action depending on the bird's condition," officials said.

While officials wait for molting to happen they ask that the bird remain undisturbed. Mass Audubon property managers have also limited access to media at the Broadmoor site to avoid stressing the bird, officials said.