A moose that found its way into the Rideau Canal south of Ottawa on Thursday has been safely rescued, Ontario Provincial Police say. Crews from the OPP, Parks Canada, the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, the Merrickville Fire Department, and Merrickville Bylaw worked together Thursday morning to help free the animal, which was trapped at the top of the Merrickville Locks. “Working together, responders developed a calm and controlled plan to safely guide the animal to freedom by gradually draining the lock system one step at a time,” the OPP said. “Thanks to teamwork, patience, and the quick actions of everyone involved, the moose safely made its way out of the locks and back into its natural habitat.” In a statement to CTV News Ottawa, Ontario’s Ministry of Natural Resources said responding crews decided to guide the moose out of the locks rather than immobilize and relocate it. “Based on the size of the animal, it was determined that immobilizing and relocating the moose from within the locks could pose a risk to its health,” a spokesperson for the Ministry of Natural Resources said. Police also thanked residents of Merrickville for their support. A video posted to social media showed a group of onlookers gathered to watch the rescue effort. “A great example of community members and partner agencies working together to protect Ontario’s wildlife,” police said. Bob Giglio and Veronica Orsi were travelling from Philadelphia when their trip suddenly came with a front row seat to the moose rescue. “It took them probably three and a half to four hours just to herd it through all the gates to get it out down there,” said Giglio. “We love wildlife and to see a moose for that long in a small Canadian town was awesome,” said Orsi. Merrickville Mayor Michael Cameron says the rescue was a “great effort” by every department involved. “The moose was unharmed and my understanding is that it is doing well and working its way through the back part of Merrickville- Wolford, ” he said. “We always like a great outcome and it’ll be a story probably told for the next few weeks here at the local coffee shop. That will be the excitement of the town for some while.” Even for some residents who have called Merrickville home for decades, the incident was a first. “It’s the first one I’ve seen this close to Merrickville,” said resident Jim Skelding. “There were people lined up on the bridge they’d found the moose before I did but there was the moose I think wondering what to do.” “Everybody that came in this morning said, ‘Did you see the Moose?’ ‘I did,’ and then we talk about it for a little bit it’s nice to have something to bond over with the customers,” said Rachael Ferguson, employee at Pickle and Myrrh. The Merrickville Locks are 73.8 kilometres south of Ottawa, according to Parks Canada. With files from CTV’s Katelyn Wilson
