‘Just chilling’: Large and unexpected guest found lounging in northern Alberta couple’s flowerbed | CBC News
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April Ellingham peered out the kitchen window of her home in Grande Prairie, Alta., this week, surprised to see two huge, furry ears.
At first she thought it was a rabbit, until she got a closer look.
“I went up and looked at it and there’s this moose sleeping in my flower bed,” Ellingham said, laughing her way through an interview with CBC News on Friday.
“He’s just chilling, as my granddaughter would say. He’s just chilling.”
Ellingham lives on a quiet street in the northern Alberta city, located about 450 kilometres northwest of Edmonton. She said she often sees deer, but not moose.
But over the past four days, a moose wandered through her neighbourhood before stopping to take a rest in her garden on Thursday.
She said he appeared to be in no hurry to leave — not even after she called Alberta Fish and Wildlife. Officers arrived and blasted their siren in an attempt to peacefully get him to move along. The animal strolled across the street to a wooded area — temporarily.
“And then the Fish and Wildlife truck drove away,” Ellingham said. “And sure enough, he comes tromping back and lies in front of my house again, in my flower bed.”
Ellingham said her husband named the giant visitor Bob.
Neighbours have been stopping by to take photos, turning Bob into a bit of a celebrity.
After a couple of days, Ellingham said a neighbour pointed out Bob is actually a female. As a result, she renamed the moose Roberta.
Moose safety
Alberta Fish and Wildlife said moose may move into urban neighbourhoods to look for food or avoid predators.
While they’re not usually aggressive, they can become stressed or defensive, especially if they feel threatened, unwell or if they are trying to protect their young.
During close moose encounters, wildlife officials warn against approaching, feeding or trying to scare the animals away. Instead, they advise giving moose space to move away and to keep pets and children indoors.
If a moose charges, authorities recommend running to safety and taking cover behind a solid object like a vehicle or a tree.
For moose who won’t leave or pose a safety risk, wildlife officials say to call them.
As of Friday afternoon, Ellingham said Roberta had left her property, but wasn’t so sure if she wouldn’t be planning another visit.
