Unlikely friendship forms at Muskoka wildlife sanctuary

A moose and two trumpeter swans are forming a unique friendship at the Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary in Rosseau, Ont.

An unlikely friendship is turning heads at the Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary in Muskoka.

The sanctuary took to Facebook on Thursday to highlight a bond forming between a resident moose named Ella and two flightless trumpeter swans.

In the post, the sanctuary shared that Ella now shares her woodland and wetland enclosure with two fellow permanent residents, Audette and Coby.

“Unlikely friends, permanent roommates,” the post stated. “Whenever Ella moseys into the wetland sector, the swans are right there to greet her - curiosity in overdrive.”

Ella came to the Rosseau sanctuary in 2015 as an orphaned calf and cannot be returned to the wild due to a leg injury that never healed properly. She is known for being curious about her caregivers, visitors and neighbours.

Staff closely monitor all animal interactions and emphasized the compatibility of this trio. “It turns out being roommates comes with some serious perks, like fascinating new company.”

The sanctuary is one of the few centres able to shelter and care for permanent wildlife residents on a long-term basis and relies on the generosity of donors and volunteers.