Young moose put down in Corner Brook neighbourhood, wildlife office hangs up on resident

David Wellon says some kids were taunting it and that’s when wildlife officers showed up and euthanized it.

A social media video shows a video of a young moose foraging on foliage in a Corner Brook yard last week that ended badly with the moose being put down by wildlife officers. David Wellon says the young moose has been hanging out in the Elizabeth Street-Wheeler’s Road area for the past few weeks. He says the animal liked tulips from his garden and was very calm. Wellon says some kids were taunting it and that’s when wildlife officers showed up and euthanized it. Wellon says he tried to get answers from the local Wildlife office but says they hung up on him. 

Meanwhile, Bayfm News reached out to the Wildlife division and they sent a written response. It states, “ Moose sightings within municipalities during the spring are common as moose and other animals are active and often wander into communities where there is often less snow and increased feeding opportunities (such as ornamental trees and grass). In many cases, conservation officers are successful in deterring animals from high risk areas by using a variety of techniques including deterrents, chemical immobilization and in some cases euthanasia. Officers always consider a multiple of factors including: public safety, the likelihood that the animal will continue to pose a risk, and options to deal with the animal safely. In the recent situation, the animal had to be euthanized after other attempts to safely deter the moose were unsuccessful.