Latest news with #LynneRowe
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Wildlife rescue hopes blind, baby moose can find forever home at Toronto Zoo
A wildlife rescue in Ottawa is hoping the province will allow it to transfer a blind baby moose to the Toronto Zoo to live out its days in captivity, or it may be forced to euthanize it. The two-month old moose was found earlier this month on a rural road and brought to Holly's Haven Wildlife Rescue, where staff gave it the name Cedar. "He was walking through a field, calling out, probably calling out trying to find his mother and ... she was nowhere to be seen," said Lynne Rowe, director of operations at Holly's Haven. Veterinarians determined Cedar was entirely blind in one eye and has only partial vision in the other, meaning he likely won't be able to safely return to the wild, Rowe said. "For Cedar, if he was released in the wild, he'd be readily predated pretty quickly. He wouldn't survive long," Rowe said. LISTEN | Man who found Cedar the moose shares his story: The rescue is only licensed to rehabilitate animals and care for them until they can be released — not to care for animals in captivity, Rowe said. Province must decide if Cedar can be kept in captivity They also don't have the space. While Cedar is only about 60 kilograms now, a full-grown moose can stand up to six feet tall and weigh as much as 725 kilograms. "I will not be able to keep him when he grows much bigger. It costs a lot to feed him and I want him to have to not feel too confined," Rowe said. So, Rowe reached out to the Toronto Zoo, which currently has an empty moose enclosure, to see if it could provide a home for Cedar to live out his days in captivity. While the zoo says it would be willing to take Cedar in, whether it will be allowed to do so is up to Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources, which must sign off on classifying Cedar as unreleaseable to allow the zoo to keep him in captivity. Otherwise, Rowe said Cedar will have to be euthanized. "The only way the Toronto Zoo can take in an animal that's native to Canada is in a circumstance like this. They cannot take healthy animals out of the wild or newborn animals that are perfectly healthy and can survive in the wild," Rowe said. CBC News reached out to the ministry about Cedar, but was referred to the Holly's Haven Wildlife Rescue and Toronto Zoo. Ideal outcome for Cedar to be releasable: zoo The Toronto Zoo's moose enclosure has been empty since its two moose Lily and Trilly died last year, said the zoo's CEO Dolf DeJong. But it will be up to the province to decide whether the Toronto Zoo would be a suitable home for Cedar. Cedar also needs to be further assessed by veterinarians and animal care professionals to determine if that's the best course of action for him, DeJong said. "The preferred outcome is maybe Cedar would be releasable," DeJong said. "That said, they also have to make sure Cedar can still live a life where with those limited capabilities, [that] he can thrive." DeJong said euthanasia would be the "last choice", but may be necessary if veterinarians determine Cedar won't be able to live comfortably in captivity long-term. So far, Cedar seems to be doing well in captivity, which isn't the case for all animals, Rowe said. "In Cedar's case, he seems pretty calm in his enclosure here, and I feel he would be able to adapt to a larger enclosure at the Toronto Zoo." DeJong said he hopes that's the case. "We potentially could present an amazing forever home for Cedar if that's what's deemed the appropriate next step for him."
CBC
3 days ago
- General
- CBC
Toronto Zoo to take in blind, baby moose after province approves transfer from Ottawa
Social Sharing The Toronto Zoo will soon become home to a blind baby moose who was rescued near Ottawa earlier this month. The two-month-old baby moose, now named Cedar, was found by an animal rescue group on a rural road in Hawkesbury, Ont. Cedar was brought to Holly's Haven Wildlife Rescue, where he spent the last three weeks getting professional veterinary aid and care. "The moose calf was blind and wandering on its own with no sight of a mother," said Lynne Rowe, the rescue organization's director of operations. Rowe said staff immediately set up a room to assess Cedar's health, and found he has partial sight in one eye. By the next day, a small outdoor enclosure was created for him to move into. While Rowe said they would usually turn to Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary in Rosseau, Ont., to secure permanent shelter for rescued animals, they were told the sanctuary was at capacity with moose. So Rowe shifted gears and reached out to the Toronto Zoo, which they said felt like a "fantastic alternative." In order to get Cedar to the zoo, Rowe had to obtain approval from the provincial Ministry of Natural Resources. It came in within a day of applying. "Moose cannot be taken out of the wild to be put in a zoo," Rowe explained. The only way a native Canadian animal like a moose can end up in an enclosure is if it is deemed unfit to be released back into the wild. WATCH | Ottawa rescue looks to transfer baby moose to Toronto Zoo: A blind baby moose calf may be coming to the Toronto Zoo 2 days ago A blind baby moose calf needs a new home — and the Toronto Zoo might hold the answer. CBC News spoke to a rescue centre in Ottawa about its challenge in rehabilitating the young moose, Cedar, and why it's turning to Toronto for help. Dolf DeJong, CEO of the Toronto Zoo, said the zoo has a suitable moose enclosure and would be happy to welcome Cedar. A full zoonotic disease scan and other risk assessment steps will be taken before the move. "Anytime you're moving ungulates around the province, that's really important," DeJong said. "Our veterinarians will connect with their veterinarians now so we can get a full understanding of Cedar's condition and make sure we're able to provide that support he needs for him to thrive." DeJong said the best-case scenario would have been for the animal to be healthy and released back into the wild. But there are upsides to this alternative solution. "Many Canadians don't have the chance to see a moose, have never realized that they are massive, incredible animals with really fun diets and some really unique adaptations," he said. "And if he needs a forever home, we're excited to be able to share that story and to provide that care for him." At this time, DeJong said there is no set date for when Cedar will be moved to the zoo or when visitors can see him. The priority is making sure Cedar is in good health, he said. "This is a visually impaired moose who will have his list of challenges. So our team will be doing their homework to make sure he's got the highest probability of success possible," he said. "He's certainly been through a lot," DeJong said. "It's an honour and a duty we don't take lightly." Cedar will continue living at Holly's Haven until he is cleared by vets to be in good shape to travel and all required paperwork at the zoo's end is complete, Rowe said.
CTV News
4 days ago
- General
- CTV News
Toronto Zoo to become home of Cedar, a blind baby moose rescued near Ottawa
Blind baby moose, two-month-old Cedar, who was rescued near Ottawa earlier this month is shown at Holly's Haven Wildlife Rescue in Dunrobin, Ont., in this handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout - Kim Cambell Rooney (Mandatory Credit) The Toronto Zoo will soon become home to a blind baby moose who was rescued near Ottawa earlier this month. The two-month-old baby moose, now named Cedar, was found by an animal rescue group on a rural road in Hawkesbury, Ont. Cedar was brought to Holly's Haven Wildlife Rescue, where he spent the last three weeks getting professional veterinary aid and care. 'The moose calf was blind and wandering on its own with no sight of a mother,' said Lynne Rowe, the rescue organization's director of operations. Rowe said staff immediately set up a room to assess Cedar's health, and found he has partial sight in one eye. By the next day, a small outdoor enclosure was created for him to move into. While Rowe said they would usually turn to Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary in Rosseau, Ont., to secure permanent shelter for rescued animals, they were told the sanctuary was at capacity with moose. So Rowe shifted gears and reached out to the Toronto Zoo, which they said felt like a 'fantastic alternative.' In order to get Cedar to the zoo, Rowe had to obtain approval from the provincial Ministry of Natural Resources. It came in within a day of applying. 'Moose cannot be taken out of the wild to be put in a zoo,' Rowe explained. The only way a native Canadian animal like a moose can end up in an enclosure is if it is deemed unfit to be released back into the wild. Cedar The Toronto Zoo will soon become home to a blind baby moose who was rescued near Ottawa earlier this month. The two-month-old baby moose, now named Cedar, was found by an animal rescue group on a rural road in Hawkesbury, Ont. Dolf DeJong, CEO of the Toronto Zoo, said the zoo has a suitable moose enclosure and would be happy to welcome Cedar. A full zoonotic disease scan and other risk assessment steps will be taken before the move. 'Anytime you're moving ungulates around the province, that's really important,' DeJong said. 'Our veterinarians will connect with their veterinarians now so we can get a full understanding of Cedar's condition and make sure we're able to provide that support he needs for him to thrive.' DeJong said the best-case scenario would have been for the animal to be healthy and released back into the wild. But there are upsides to this alternative solution. 'Many Canadians don't have the chance to see a moose, have never realized that they are massive, incredible animals with really fun diets and some really unique adaptations,' he said. 'And if he needs a forever home, we're excited to be able to share that story and to provide that care for him.' At this time, DeJong said there is no set date for when Cedar will be moved to the zoo or when visitors can see him. The priority is making sure Cedar is in good health, he said. 'This is a visually impaired moose who will have his list of challenges. So our team will be doing their homework to make sure he's got the highest probability of success possible,' he said. 'He's certainly been through a lot,' DeJong said. 'It's an honour and a duty we don't take lightly.' Cedar will continue living at Holly's Haven until he is cleared by vets to be in good shape to travel and all required paperwork at the zoo's end is complete, Rowe said. 'I'm very eager to see him settled into his new place,' Rowe said. 'I will definitely visit him at some point in the future.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 25, 2025. Fatima Raza, The Canadian Press
CBC
5 days ago
- General
- CBC
Wildlife rescue hopes blind, baby moose can find forever home at Toronto Zoo
Social Sharing A wildlife rescue near Ottawa is hoping the province will allow it to transfer a blind baby moose to the Toronto Zoo to live out its days in captivity, or it may be forced to euthanize it. The two-month old moose was found earlier this month on a rural road and brought to Holly's Haven Wildlife Rescue, where staff gave it the name Cedar. "He was walking through a field, calling out, probably calling out trying to find his mother and ... she was nowhere to be seen," said Lynne Rowe, director of operations at Holly's Haven. Veterinarians determined Cedar was entirely blind in one eye and has only partial vision in the other, meaning he likely won't be able to safely return to the wild, Rowe said. "For Cedar, if he was released in the wild, he'd be readily predated pretty quickly. He wouldn't survive long," Rowe said. The rescue is only licensed to rehabilitate animals and care for them until they can be released — not to care for animals in captivity, Rowe said. Province must decide if Cedar can be kept in captivity They also don't have the space. While Cedar is only about 60 kilograms now, a full-grown moose can stand up to six feet tall and weigh as much as 725 kilograms. "I will not be able to keep him when he grows much bigger. It costs a lot to feed him and I want him to have to not feel too confined," Rowe said. So, Rowe reached out to the Toronto Zoo, which currently has an empty moose enclosure, to see if it could provide a home for Cedar to live out his days in captivity. While the zoo says it would be willing to take Cedar in, whether it will be allowed to do so is up to Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources, which must sign off on classifying Cedar as unreleaseable to allow the zoo to keep him in captivity. Otherwise, Rowe said Cedar will have to be euthanized. "The only way the Toronto Zoo can take in an animal that's native to Canada is in a circumstance like this. They cannot take healthy animals out of the wild or newborn animals that are perfectly healthy and can survive in the wild," Rowe said. CBC News reached out to the ministry about Cedar, but was referred to the Holly's Haven Wildlife Rescue and Toronto Zoo. Ideal outcome for Cedar to be releasable: zoo The Toronto Zoo's moose enclosure has been empty since its two moose Lily and Trilly died last year, said the zoo's CEO Dolf Delong. But it will be up to the province to decide whether the Toronto Zoo would be a suitable home for Cedar. Cedar also needs to be further assessed by veterinarians and animal care professionals to determine if that's the best course of action for him, Delong said. "The preferred outcome is maybe Cedar would be releasable," Delong said. "That said, they also have to make sure Cedar can still live a life where with those limited capabilities, [that] he can thrive." Delong said euthanasia would be the "last choice", but may be necessary if veterinarians determine Cedar won't be able to live comfortably in captivity long-term. So far, Cedar seems to be doing well in captivity, which isn't the case for all animals, Rowe said. "In Cedar's case, he seems pretty calm in his enclosure here, and I feel he would be able to adapt to a larger enclosure at the Toronto Zoo." Delong said he hopes that's the case. "We potentially could present an amazing forever home for Cedar if that's what's deemed the appropriate next step for him."
New York Times
19-07-2025
- General
- New York Times
A Rescue Center for Small Wild Animals Looks to Place a Blind Moose Calf
On Friday at Holly's Haven, a wildlife rescue and rehabilitation center in a rural section of Ottawa, there was one coyote, two porcupines and more young raccoons and skunks than I could easily count. And in a makeshift habitat at the very back, there was a much larger animal: a blind moose with an injured leg that is about a month and a half old. The arrival of Cedar, as the moose is known, has meant that Lynne Rowe, the center's founder and director of operations, has had to learn a lot about the needs of young moose very quickly. But it has also created a particular challenge. Like all rescue centers, Holly's Haven normally returns animals to the wild when they are old enough to cope or when they have recovered from their injuries. The best prognosis for Cedar is that he will recover very limited vision in his right eye, making a return to the wild a death sentence. But Cedar cannot follow the path set by Holly, a raccoon for whom the center is named and who lived there for years because brain damage made her release impossible. While Cedar weighs about 30 kilograms, or more than 65 pounds, he could reach 700 kilograms, or 1,500 pounds, as an adult. 'All the experts I've consulted, veterinarians and moose rehabilitators, confirmed that he is not releasable,' Rowe told me as Cedar contentedly munched on dangling willow branches. 'Young moose are heavily predated in the wild by coyotes, wolves. So he'd be extremely vulnerable.' Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
