Officials euthanize moose seen strolling through Fredericton over concerns of possible collision
A young moose that made its way through the Fredericton Tuesday had to be euthanized, according to the province’s Department of Natural Resources and Energy Development.
Some people caught a moose on camera strolling through certain neighbourhoods earlier in the day. The department later received a call Tuesday evening that the moose was in a high traffic area on the city’s southside.
“Staff and City Police lead the moose to a forested area in the Bishop Drive area but unfortunately the moose returned to the street/highway and had to be euthanized, due to the concern for a potential collision with vehicles on the highway,” a department spokesperson said in an emailed statement.
Security video from a car dealership near the Smythe Street roundabout shows several Fredericton police vehicles, with their lights on, slowly following the moose through the roundabout.
“I was pretty amazed, I had to come outside and watch it because it’s not something you see — a moose walking up the road — every day,” said Skylar Constable, who saw the moose while on shift at a local business in the area.
Officials said moose “generally try to avoid confrontations with people,” but it’s not uncommon for a young moose to find themselves in city limits after being pushed away by their pregnant mothers in the spring.
University of New Brunswick professor in wildlife ecology Graham Forbes said the moose appeared to be young, likely a one-year-old yearling.
“The females that are carrying their young, they don't have the ability to also look after last year's calf, which is now a yearling. So they start getting aggressive towards them. And scare them away,” he said. “The mothers do this this time of year, and so you get these young moose that are now looking for a new place. And that's just by bad luck, they've taken a turn into a place they don't really want to be in or live in.”
After looking at some video taken by onlookers, Forbes said he didn’t feel the moose was suffering from brainworm – a parasite that can cause deer or moose to exhibit peculiar behaviour.
It’s not uncommon to see a moose make its way into the city, he said, noting Fredericton likely sees one every couple of years.
It’s a good reminder for the public not to get too close.
“They might be scared and could act erratically. And they've got long legs and they can kick hard. So never try to touch or push it along or anything like that,” he said. “It's a large animal that weighs hundreds and hundreds of pounds and therefore could cause serious damage to your vehicle or to yourself.”
For more New Brunswick news visit our dedicated provincial page.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING 122 active wildfires burning across Canada, 32 considered 'out of control'
The 2024 wildfire season has begun, and it's shaping up to follow last year's unprecedented destruction in kind, with thousands of square kilometres already consumed.
B.C. parents sentenced to 15 years for death of 6-year-old boy
A British Columbia Supreme Court judge has sentenced the mother and stepfather of a six-year-old boy who died from blunt-force trauma in 2018 to 15 years in prison.
Veteran TSN sportscaster Darren Dutchyshen has died
Veteran TSN broadcaster Darren 'Dutch' Dutchyshen, one of Canada’s best-known sports journalists, has died. He was 57. His family says 'he passed as he was surrounded by his closest loved ones.'
Miller scores late as Canucks grind out 3-2 win over Oilers in Game 5
J.T. Miller scored in the final minute of the game and the Vancouver Canucks came back for a 3-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 5 of their second-round playoff series Thursday.
Think twice before sharing 'heartbreaking' social media posts, RCMP warn
Mounties in B.C. are urging people to think twice before sharing "heartbreaking posts" on social media.
Police issue Canada-wide warrant for Regina homicide suspect
Police have issued a Canada-wide warrant for a man wanted in a homicide which occurred in Regina on May 12.
Trudeau calls New Brunswick's Conservative government a 'disgrace' on women's rights
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau assailed New Brunswick's premier and other conservative leaders on Thursday, calling out the provincial government's position on abortion, LGBTQ youth and climate change.
Kevin Spacey receives star support as he fights to get his career back
Kevin Spacey is pushing back on the 'rush to judgment' against him and is being backed by some big names as he seeks to reclaim his acting career.
Speaker cuts ties with Sask. Party, alleges he faced threats, harassment from gov't MLAs
The Speaker of the Saskatchewan Legislature Randy Weekes has severed ties with the Sask. Party after accusing some members of harassment and intimidation tactics, including a situation he claimed saw the Government House Leader bring a hunting rifle to the legislative building.