Lucy The Goose

There is nothing quite like embarrassing a government department and with it, the Cabinet Minister ultimately responsible for its actions, to get attention and in the end, a sheepish response at the very highest political/governmental level, along with an apology and a righting of that wrong. In fact, you've got to hand it to the government of Prime Minister Stephen Harper. His own personal rectitude and empathy (which many insist does not in fact exist) extends to those whom he has selected to his Cabinet, for the most part.

And Peter Kent, the federal Environment Minister, is no exception. He has personally apologized to Diane Vander Wiel, who lives on her family farm in northern British Columbia. Who committed a dreadful sin against the Migratory Bird Convention Act when she compassionately brought an abandoned, vulnerable days-old fluffy yellow goose chick to her farm in Fort St.James two years ago. That chick was nurtured and carefully tended, and it grew and matured became a full-size goose, as nature intended it to.

Lucy became accustomed to life around the farm and was imprinted in fact, on Diane Vander Wiel whom she trusted and accepted as her human mentor. Lucy lived in one of several barns on the Vander Wiel property, along with other, domesticated birds and farm animals, finding her place comfortably among them. Ms. Vander Wiel described how she had attempted at times to introduce Lucy to other wild geese when she became mature, but Lucy expressed no interest in them whatever.

Whenever Lucy spent the night somewhere else on occasion, she always returned home to the farm. Ms. Vander Wiel described how Lucy would occasionally visit with the neighbours, then eventually return home to the place she knew best and was obviously comfortable with. During the fall migration, Lucy would see geese flying overhead heading to southern climes, but she evidently experienced no inclination, no natural urge to join them. She was content living with her mentor on the family farm.

Until one day on January 11, Conservation authorities who said they had been informed by an anonymous caller that a wild goose was being kept a 'prisoner' on the Vander Wiel farm, showed up and confiscated Lucy. They took her away in a crate, informing Ms. Vander Wiel that it was possible they would have to euthanize Lucy. Whereupon Ms. Vander Wiel posted her story on FaceBook and people were upset and rallied behind the cause to return Lucy to her home.

It seems the rallying cry and peoples' indignation helped along by the emotional distress that Ms. Vander Wiel was expressing more than adequately, reached the sympathetic ears of Member of Parliament and Environment Minister Peter Kent. Who telephoned Lucy's caregiver and assured her that the Ministry of the Environment law prohibiting people from holding migratory birds in captivity, would be eased in her case. After all, what kind of sense would it make to euthanize a goose that was happily ensconced on a farm?

"Had [the wildlife officers] come out and seen [Lucy's set-up], none of this would have transpired", Ms. Vander Wiel explained. Instead they had informed her loftily that she would be facing a fine under the Migratory Bird Convention Act - which Minister Kent waived. She will now receive an agriculture permit, allowing Lucy to return home. Wings unclipped. Free to fly off into the wide blue yonder should she opt to.

"I said it would be cruel to clip her wings and [Mr. Kent] agreed with me".

Lucy is a Canada Goose that was rescued as a "ball of fuzz" on a road near Diane Vander Wiel's farm outside of Fort St James. After nearly three years of life with Diane and her family, Lucy was plucked away because of rules barring ownership of migratory birds. Diane says Lucy's always been free to come and go as she pleases and is mounting a campaign for Lucy's return. (courtesy Diane Vander Wiel)

Congratulations, Diane Vander Wiel. Mission Accomplished!