THUNDER BAY — A young moose whose behaviour had become hazardous to itself and to motorists in a rural part of Thunder Bay will be released back into the wild after it's cared for at a wildlife centre near Parry Sound.
Thunder Bay Police issued a warning about the animal on Jan. 27, and asked members of the public to desist from feeding it.
The moose had developed the habit of walking onto the roadway in the Townline Road and Government Road area to accept handouts from motorists.
Police cautioned that the moose was so habituated to human contact that it even stuck its head into the window of an officer's car when he stopped to investigate.
The calf is now at the Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary in the Muskoka district.
Jan Kingshott, director of animal welfare at the facility, told TBnewswatch the animal was born last spring and is small and "definitely underweight," but is expected to do well now on a diet that's specifically designed for moose.
Kingshott said it will be housed on its own until it gains enough weight, at which point it will be introduced to another calf that came under care of the sanctuary earlier this winter.
Eventually it will be released back into the wild in an area designated by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry.
Kingshott said rehabilitating a moose is expensive, so any donations from the public to help cover costs would be welcome.
The Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary currently has seven moose under its care, but usually only has a couple in for rehabilitation at any one time.
The non-profit organization has already expressed gratitude to the Thunder Bay-area residents who assisted in getting the calf to safety temporarily, and to the MNRF for allowing it "go into rehab."
It's also recognized the National Wildlife Centre in Caledon, Ontario for sending a truck and trailer to Thunder Bay to transport the animal to the sanctuary.
