Washington Park Canadian Goose Still on the Loose - Memories of Charlie the Caiman

Canadian Goose

Over at Washington Park they still haven't caught the Canadian Goose who was brutally shot with an arrow. Both Wild B.I.R.D. volunteers and the Colorado Division of Wildlife have been trying to capture the skittish bird for about a week now. Well, wouldn't you would be skittish if some asshat shot you with an arrow? Volunteers have been feeding the bird, which has been sticking to the thin ice in the middle of the lake. The volunteers also say the bird is showing signs of infection, including decreased interest in moving and eating. You can see a photo and read more about his plight here. While the story of the goose is truly tragic, and points up the disturbing fact that some moron is running around the park with a crossbow, it also features typical Wash Park zaniness. Cops had to be called to the park last week when a fight broke out among people trying to rescue the bird. One well-intended rescuer nearly nabbed the bird, only to fall into the lake. On another attempt, a passer-by got involved and almost fell through the thin ice.

All the recent media coverage brings back memories of Charlie, the infamous Wash Park caiman, who terrorized and delighted park goers in the summer of 1998. Rumors of a gnarly beast began when a newspaper delivery person reported seeing an alligator in the park's Grasmere Lake. Pretty soon, there were daily reports of near-brushes with the creature. Within weeks reports were that the animal was eight feet long and brutally snatching Canadian Geese and ducks from the lake surface. The most delightful bit of speculation was that an alligator named Albert (who had escaped from the Denver Zoo in 1981) had not only lived through many Colorado winters undetected, but had stealthily made his way through the City Ditch to the lake.

A young caiman

Exotic alligator trappers were brought in, with special traps. These experts determined that the creature was a caiman, who was promptly dubbed Charlie by locals. Lines were drawn in the sand and bitter arguments ensued at local backyard BBQs-- were you pro-Charlie or anti-Charlie? Around the park, dogs were suddenly kept on short leashes. Sharp-eyed parents kept kidlets close. Every evening the park was filled with eager TV news crews and area thrill-seekers hoping to catch a glimpse of the beast. I distinctly remember one day, when a dead raccoon was fished from the lake, causing traffic to come to a standstill on Downing Street, drivers and passengers alike craning their necks and hoping to catch a glimpse of something.  And of course, every time a school of guppies so much as burped, we all ran to the water's edge hoping to catch a glimpse of something. By late summer park officials decided to drain the lake to force Charlie's hand. With autumn closing in, local residents anxiously debated Charlie's chances of weathering the impending winter. If Charlie was captured, what fate awaited him? Would he be euthanized? More debates ensued, all covered breathlessly by local media.

But lowering the water level failed to yield Charlie, and a funky green slime soon began clogging up the stagnant pond water, threatening the lake's fish population. In early September park officials announced the hunt was off and the lake was being refilled. "We do believe we had a critter in the water," a park official said at the time. Sadly, Charlie was relegated to an urban legend.

Wash Park's regulars have always been protective of the park and its resident animals. We commend everyone who has tried to help the wounded bird, knowing that their hearts are in the right place. It shows our humanity, I think, that so many people should care about the plight of a simple goose. In South Denver, and around Washington Park, we have learned to expect nothing less.