‘Just chilling’: Large and unexpected guest found resting in northern Alberta couple’s flower bed
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When April Ellingham peered out the kitchen window of her home in Grand Prairie, Alta., this week, she was surprised to see two huge, furry ears.
At first he thought it was a rabbit, until he looked closer.
“I went up and looked at it and there was this moose sleeping in my flower bed,” Ellingham said with a laugh during an interview with CBC News on Friday.
“He’s just relaxing, as my granddaughter would say. He’s just relaxing.”
Ellingham lives on a quiet street in the northern Alberta city of, Located approximately 450 kilometers northwest of Edmonton. She said she often sees deer, but not moose.
But over the past four days, a moose wandered through her neighborhood before stopping to rest in her garden on Thursday.
She said it seemed he was in no rush to leave — not even after she called Alberta Fish and Wildlife. officials They arrived and sounded their sirens in an attempt to peacefully encourage him to move forward. The animal temporarily crossed the road and went into a wooded area.
“And then the Fish and Wildlife truck went by,” Ellingham said. “And sure enough, he comes back and lies down again on my flower bed, in front of my house.”
Ellingham said her husband named the giant visitor Bob.
Neighbors stop by to take pictures, turning Bob into a celebrity.
After a few days, Allingham said a neighbor reported that Bob was actually a woman. As a result, she named the moose Roberta.
moose safety
Alberta Fish and Wildlife said moose may move into urban areas in search of food or to escape hunters.
Although they are generally not aggressive, they may become stressed or defensive, especially if they feel threatened, are unwell or if they are trying to protect their young.
During close moose encounters, wildlife officials warn against approaching the animals, feeding them or trying to scare them. Instead, they recommend moving moose away and keeping pets and children indoors.
If a moose attacks, officials recommend running for safety and hiding behind a vehicle or a solid object, such as a tree.
Any moose that won’t leave or pose a safety threat are called in, wildlife officials say.
As of Friday afternoon, Ellingham said Roberta had left her property, but she was not sure if she would be planning another visit.
