Moose - just north of Toronto

[chudymoose]

A week ago, (Saturday, September 15, about 8:45 am) I spotted a COW MOOSE,   :shock: walking through a cornfield. The location of this was: east of Hwy 400, west of Weston Rd, north of King Rd Regional Rd 11.
After about 5 minutes, there were around 20 cars that stopped behind my car and people couldn't believe what they saw.
Moose - so close to the big city of Toronto.
The animal came from the north-west. It tried to cross Weston Rd, but presence of two cars, made its plan change. The moose went back (toward Hwy 400), but - thanks to God, it hide in the nearby bushes instead of trying it's luck highway-crossing.  
The moose seemed to be disoriented, but didn't look tired. It didn't run. Just walked peacefully.
I hope it's still alive somewhere in bushes close to Toronto.
Pictures - soon in the picture's section.

[dawnofthewolf]

Nice sighting, have there been any bear sightings in the area?

[Axeman]

Wonder if anyone is tracking it's movement / visit the way the Great Grey Owl was tracked last winter.

[Jon]

Very interesting report! A moose was spotted around Orangeville last week and then from what I have heard, was struck and killed by a car near Hillsburgh. Perhaps this was the same moose? Staff at the Aurora District MNR are trying to piece together the route the moose may have taken. Please contact the Fish and Wildlife Biologist at Aurora MNR at (905) 713-7400 to report sightings.

Jon

[KP]

That was great to see that Moose so close to Toronto.  Moose used to live in Southern Ontario.  However, habitat destruction caused Moose to dissappear from Southern Ontario.  With the preservation of the Oak Ridges Moraine, enlarging and connecting natural areas, and more natural habitat restoration, Moose are returning to Southern Ontario.  American Black Bears are returning to Southern Ontario after years of human persecution and habitat destruction.  Sightings of American Black Bears are becoming more frequent in Southern Ontario.  More natural habitat restoration and tolerance by humans are causing American Black Bears to return to Southern Ontario.  Another reason for American Black Bears returning to Southern Ontario is an overabundance of American Black Bears in the more northern areas of Ontario, which is causing too much competition.

[Axeman]

sigh...I missed the Orangeville / Hillsburgh sighting...I'm about 45 mins nw of Orangeville...

Re: black bears...have there been any recent SWO sightings ? I know a year or so ago there were bears in London and Wingham etc. but not aware of anything recent.

[Axeman]

Interesting story and it references the moose that started this thread !

http://www.simcoe.com/community/allisto ... le/1507739

[KP]

Recent sightings of American Black Bears in Southern Ontario have occured in Milton and Palgrave.  There was 2 Eastern Cougar sightings recently reported in the Orangeville area.  Eastern Wolves have been spotted in areas of Southern Ontario such as London, Caledon, Cambridge, Woodstock, Hamilton, and Rockwood.