OTTAWA - A moose that wandered onto the Queensway during the morning commute, causing some serious traffic delays, has been euthanized.
The moose wandered onto the eastbound lanes of Highway 417, between Bayshore and Pinecrest, Thursday morning. It was corralled with parked vehicles on the eastbound shoulder for a couple of hours.
The Ministry of Natural Resources was called to the scene to tranquilize the moose, but the animal had to be put down.
"It's an unfortunate situation and it's certainly not what we wanted, but the problem is public safety is a top priority in a case like this," said Jolanta Kowalski, a spokesperson with the Ministry of Natural Resources.
Kowalski says the moose was injured and the tranquilizer may have taken some time to take effect -- during which the moose could have become skittish and bolted.
She adds, a veterinarian was consulted in the decision to end the moose's life.
The highway was closed both ways between Bayshore and Pinecrest while the moose was removed, but has since fully re-opened.
