Despite allegations that the moose at the Chippewa Park Wildlife Exhibit is being starved, the animal might actually be among the best fed mammals in the region.
A picture of the moose circulated a Facebook page Tuesday led users to condemn the treatment of the animal at the zoo. The photo of the moose was taken by Alexander Nate who said that he felt sorry for the starving animal.
Many other Facebook and Twitter users offered harsh criticism for the animal’s alleged mistreatment.
“Now that’s one skinny moose,” Jennifer Mendowegan states in a comment on the photo. “Must be sick. Poor thing.”
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Charlotte Christine Baxter said the city should send the Ministry of Natural Resources to the zoo to see what they thought. She also believed the moose was too skinny and was starving.
Debbie Armstrong, who shared the photo, said the moose should be set free.
“This should not be happening,” she said. “A moose does not belong in a shitty zoo like this.”
Janice Lane called the situation inhumane and said cruelty to animals makes her sick, and that the situation was going on for years.
The picture even caught the attention of At-Large Coun. Aldo Ruberto.
“I have requested administration look into the situation,” Ruberto says in a statement on Facebook.
“I know for a fact that it is also used as a sanctuary for mistreated or injured animals. Bottom line the city and the people who work there do care very much about all animals. We will get back to you.”
But Parks Supervisor Gordon John says claims that the moose is starving are far from true, adding that the animal is very well fed. He says he believes the picture was taken at a bad angle where the animal was trying to get away from bugs.
The moose’s daily diet includes:
- Five gallons of dairy
- Half a dozen apples
- Half a dozen carrots
- Hay available all day
- Fresh leaves
- Bark
“He eats all that food every day,” he said.
“I don’t think he’s starving if he’s cleaning it up. He’s the only one in there. This is the time of year where it is hard on them; it’s hot, it’s wet, there’s lots of bugs.”
John admitted that the pen for the moose isn’t that big but he said they have to worry about overfeeding him since he doesn’t have that much room to run around.
He said that at this time of year they usually hear similar complaints about the animals looking unhealthy.
The moose has been a part of the zoo since it was rescued five years ago. The moose was only two days old when it was brought to the zoo.
“We raised it to where it is now,” he said. “Bob Munson, our animal attendant, has treated it as one of his own.”
This wasn’t the first wildlife rumour to spread across the city based on online statements. City police last year were dealing with reports that a cougar was on the loose.
At one point a photograph of the alleged elusive cat surfaced, and many believed that photograph was definitive evidence that the cat existed and was roaming the area.
However, wildlife experts determined the animal wasn’t a cougar. In fact, the animal wasn’t even a feline. The rumours abruptly ended when it was concluded the animal in question was a mangy fox.
