Updated at 3:22 p.m.: After a call went out this morning for volunteers, Wild At Heart received a flood of calls from folks willing to help the wildlife refuge centre transport injured moose Ella to Guelph for surgery.
The young moose broke her right hind leg nearly two months ago. Though she had been recovering, Ella recently suffered a setback, so Wild At Heart, a not-for-profit, needed help to transport her to the Large Animal Clinic at the University of Guelph Veterinary College.
Wild At Heart told NorthernLife.ca this afternoon that a Lively resident has donated his time and his truck to the cause, and they will be leaving this evening to transport Ella.
The refuge said it is grateful for the number of people who reached out and offered help.
Original story
Got a truck and some spare time this week? Wild At Heart Refuge Centre in Lively is in desperate need of some help to transport an injured moose calf down to the University of Guelph.
The animal refuge centre has a horse trailer suitable for the task, but needs a truck to pull it. They’re asking anyone with a truck and the time to contact them and help them get Ella the help the poor little calf needs.
Ideally, Wild At Heart is looking to transport her early tomorrow (Nov. 25) morning and return the same day — although there is a possibility of a one-night layover.
Back at the end of September, Ella was playing in her pen when she lost her footing, fell and broke her right hind leg. She was taken down to the Large Animal Clinic at the University of Guelph Veterinary College where surgeons repaired the complicated break.
The seven-hour surgery saw doctors place pins in the leg and mount an external fixator to hold the pins in place.
Brought back to Lively in a cast, Ella has been on the mend ever since. The recovery time is two months in the cast to ensure the bone heals properly and will be able to support her weight as she grows. However, she recently had her cast changed and the leg seems to be bothering her.
“She doesn't want to put any weight on it,” Wild At Heart said in an email. “She needs to go back to Guelph to have it checked and possibly re-cast.”
So, if you have the time, Wild At Heart — and Ella — could use the help. Refuge centre staff is looking to leave Lively between 4 a.m. and 5 a.m. on Nov. 25.
If you can help or know someone who can, call 705-561-9987.
