[PHOTOS] The lost moose roams through Quebec

A juvenile moose, looking for food, was pushed into central Quebec by an urban expansion that, according to experts, was able to sow authorities in a forested area near Laval University on Wednesday morning.

At 4:40 a.m., a citizen first saw the animal near the RAMQ offices in Grande Alley Ovest.

Others reported his presence in front of Boise-de-Coulonge Park a few moments later, before he could put his feet around his neck.

At 6 a.m., the Quebec City Police Service (SPVQ) was looking for him near the PEPS at Laval University.

However, when the beast moved into a forested area east of the campus, authorities quickly lost track of it.

“The beast is wounded or it indicates danger to the population,” SPVQ spokesman David Poitras said this morning.

“But we want citizens and especially motorists to be vigilant when traveling in this area,” he continued, adding that he had contacted wildlife conservation for reinforcement.

Looking for fodder

According to Jean-Pierre Tremble, a biology professor at Laval University, its size indicates that the moose is looking for food after being rejected by its mother.

“This is a year when females are young and when they are pushed back from the previous year, they need to find a place to live and feed. This is where they make big trips.”

The specimen found in Quebec can also come from the northern edge and the other side of the river, as swimming is not an obstacle for this species.

According to the biologist, it is possible for an animal to use “green corridors” such as spaces to cross hydroelectric lines.

It describes how he was able to get into town so far before he was even identified.

More repetitive conditions

This situation is reminiscent of a polar bear that roamed a village in Hot-Gaspace last April or a dark bear that took refuge in a tree in Saint-Phoebe in October 2019.

“This kind of behavior may be more common, which is inevitable, especially due to urban sprawl and logging,” said Daniel Fortin, a biology professor at Laval University.

Mr Fortin said logging would increase the food available to bears and moose, which would increase their population and increase their chances of ending up in town as their territory is constantly declining.

For two biologists, unfortunately there is no miracle recipe to prevent this phenomenon.

We just need to slow down urban expansion and stop feeding wild beasts.