A wildlife rescue organization in Ottawa is seeking approval from the province to relocate a blind baby moose to the Toronto Zoo for permanent captivity or face the possibility of euthanasia.
Discovered on a rural road and named Cedar by staff at Holly’s Haven Wildlife Rescue, the two-month-old moose was found wandering and calling out, likely in search of its missing mother, according to Lynne Rowe, the director of operations at the rescue center.
Veterinarians determined that Cedar is blind in one eye and has limited vision in the other, making it unlikely for the moose to safely return to the wild due to the high risk of predation, Rowe explained.
Holly’s Haven Wildlife Rescue, licensed for animal rehabilitation and release, lacks the capacity to care for animals in captivity, especially considering that a full-grown moose can reach significant size and weight that exceeds their resources.
Facing constraints in space and resources, Rowe reached out to the Toronto Zoo, which currently has an available moose enclosure, to inquire about providing a permanent home for Cedar. However, the decision to classify Cedar as unreleaseable for zoo captivity rests with Ontario’s Ministry of Natural Resources.
If the ministry does not approve Cedar’s relocation to the zoo, euthanasia may be the only remaining option, as the Toronto Zoo is only permitted to take in native animals in exceptional circumstances such as Cedar’s, Rowe emphasized.
The Toronto Zoo’s CEO, Dolf DeJong, expressed willingness to accommodate Cedar but highlighted the need for further evaluation by veterinarians and animal care experts to determine the best course of action for the moose. The preference remains for Cedar to be potentially releasable, but ensuring his ability to thrive with his limited capabilities in captivity is essential.
Euthanasia is considered a last resort if Cedar’s long-term comfort in captivity cannot be guaranteed, DeJong stated. Cedar appears to be adapting well to his current environment, showing signs of calmness that suggest a potential for adjusting to a larger enclosure at the zoo, according to Rowe.
DeJong remains hopeful that the Toronto Zoo can offer Cedar a fulfilling lifelong home if deemed appropriate for the moose’s well-being.