A male moose calf in Windy Lake Provincial Park that had behaved aggressively toward park staff was relocated last week to the Aspen Valley Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre in Muskoka.
The park had been partly closed due to the situation. However, the yurts, ski chalet and snowshoe and cross-country ski trail in the park were reopened on Jan. 20.
An email from park superintendent Erika Poupore said that after consulting with veterinarians, wildlife rehabilitation specialists and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, the moose was safely immobilized and relocated to the wildlife centre Jan. 19.
There he can be “observed and treated for any health issues and he will have little to no interactions with humans,” said Poupore.
She said the moose had displayed concerning behaviour towards park staff and attempts to coax the animal away from park facilities were unsuccessful.
To ensure the safety of both staff and visitors, the moose was relocated, Poupore said.
Jan Kingshott, director of animal welfare at the Aspen Valley centre, said the moose is a calf that was born last spring. Moose calves of that age are typically still with their mothers, so he is considered an orphan.
In terms of the calf's aggressive behaviour in the park, Kingshott said that "isn't typical moose behaviour."
She said the calf will stay in the sanctuary's care until the spring, when he will be released in to the wild.
Now that the calf is in the sanctuary, "he's actually showing really good moose behaviour," said Kingshott, adding that he's been placed in an outdoor enclosure "that's really far from the noise of the sanctuary."
