A pink stuffed donkey left on a BC Ferries sailing was found by staff and reunited with its five-year-old owner [1].
The incident highlights the role of social media in recovering lost personal items and the efforts of transport staff to assist young passengers.
The toy, known as "Churro the Burro" [2], was left behind Thursday afternoon during a sailing on the Salish Raven [3]. The vessel was traveling from Swartz Bay [4] toward the southern Gulf of Georgia [5].
BC Ferries staff located the stuffed animal and posted about the find on social media. This digital outreach allowed the company to identify the child and coordinate the return of the toy.
Upon the reunion, five-year-old Alfie [1] returned to the vessel. He and Churro the Burro were given a tour of the ship as part of the recovery process.
Staff members managed the logistics of the return after the social media response confirmed the identity of the owner. The process ensured the toy was returned safely to the child following the Thursday afternoon voyage.
“A pink stuffed donkey left on a BC Ferries sailing was found by staff and reunited with its five-year-old owner.”
This event demonstrates how transit agencies are increasingly utilizing social media platforms as real-time lost-and-found tools to resolve passenger issues quickly. By turning a lost item into a public narrative, the agency not only recovered the property but also generated positive public relations through a high-visibility gesture of customer service.
