B.C. Conservation Service investigates after beaver shot full of arrows

Conservation officers in the Okanagan hope to catch the person responsible for shooting four arrows into a beaver.

On Friday, residents observed the animal swimming in OkanaganLake adjacent to the West KelownaYacht Club. The beaver hadarrows lodged in its body.

Saskia Dover, a local realtor, came across the beaver and took photos.

"It was quite alive still when I saw [it], which is quite surprising,"said Dover adding there were fourarrows "deeply" burrowed in it.

Residents reported the animal to the B.C. Conservation Service, which sent an officer to the area. They foundthe beaver, but it swam away before it could be captured and euthanized.

David Cox, a conservation officer based in Penticton says the beaverwas most likely intentionally shot with a compound bow.

He said it was amazing the beaverwas as mobile as it was, "considering the pain it was probably enduring."

Cox says the service receivedmore reports about the animal Friday evening, but has since lost track of it. He says it haslikely died of its injuries.

'Unlawful method'

The conservation service is hoping tips will lead it to the animal so that the arrows can be recovered, which may helpofficers find theperson responsible.

Cox says he's never come across a beaver shot with arrows. Most often it's deer, and in more rural settings. He said some people consider beavers nuisance animals.

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Cos is asking anyone with information to contact its Report All Poachers and Polluters (RAPP) program.