The Toronto Zoo will soon become a home from a blind baby who was rescued near Ottawa earlier this month.
The two -month -old baby, now called Cedar, was found by an animal rescue group on a rural road in Hawkesbury, Ontario.
Cedar was taken to Holly’s Haven Wildlife Rescue, where he spent the last three weeks obtaining professional veterinary help and attention.
“The Alcene calf was blind and wandering on its own without seeing a mother,” said Lynne Rowe, director of operations of the Rescue Organization.
Rowe said the staff immediately established a room to evaluate Cedar’s health, and discovered that it has a partial view in one eye. The next day, a small outdoor enclosure was created for him to move.
Tomorrow from OttawaCedar rescue, blind baby moose
Few people can say that they have found face to face with an alce in nature. And even less they can say that they saved the life of an alce. But Rob Boisvert has done both.
While Rowe said they would generally resort to the Wildlife Sanctuary of the Aspen Valley in Rosseau, Ontario, to ensure a permanent refuge for rescued animals, they were told that the sanctuary was at its capacity for Alce.
Then Rowe changed marching and approached the Toronto Zoo, who said he felt like a “fantastic alternative.”
To lead to Cedar to the Zoo, Rowe had to obtain the approval of the Provincial Ministry of Natural Resources. It arrived within a day of application.
“Anches cannot be taken out of nature to get into a zoo,” Rowe explained. The only way in which a native Canadian animal like an Alce can end in an enclosure is if it is considered not suitable to be released again in nature.
A blind baby calf needs a new home, and the Toronto Zoo could contain the answer. CBC News spoke with a rescue center in Ottawa about his challenge to rehabilitate the young alce, cedar and why he is resorting to Toronto in search of help.
Dolf Dejong, CEO of the Toronto Zoo, said the zoo has an adequate enclosure and would be happy to welcome Cedar.
An exploration of complete zoonotic diseases and other risk assessment steps before moving.
“Every time you move anointed around the province, that’s really important,” said Dejong.
“Our veterinarians will connect with their veterinarians now so that we can fully understand the condition of cedar and make sure we can provide that support it needs to prosper.”
Dejong said the best scenario would have been for the animal to be healthy and released again in nature.
But there are advantages in this alternative solution.
“Many Canadians do not have the opportunity to see an alce, they have never realized that they are huge and incredible animals with really fun diets and some really unique adaptations,” he said.
“And if you need a home forever, we are excited to be able to share that story and give attention to it.”
At this time, Dejong said there is no established date for when the cedar will be transferred to the zoo or when visitors can see it. The priority is to make sure that Cedar has good health, he said.
“This is an Alce with visual disabilities that will have its list of challenges. Therefore, our team will do its task to ensure that you have the greatest probability of success as possible,” he said.
“It certainly has gone through a lot,” said Dejong. “It is an honor and a duty that we do not take lightly.”
Cedar will continue to live in Holly’s Haven until the veterinarians clear it so that they are in good way to travel and all the paperwork required at the end of the zoo is complete, Rowe said.
“I am very anxious to see him installed in his new place,” Rowe said. “I will definitely visit it at some point in the future.”
