Toronto Zoo to take in blind baby moose after province approves transfer from Ottawa

A two-month-old blind baby moose named Cedar was rescued near Hawkesbury, Ontario, earlier this month and is set to be relocated to the Toronto Zoo after being found wandering alone without its mother.

Cedar was discovered by an animal rescue group on a rural road and taken to Holly's Haven Wildlife Rescue for three weeks of veterinary care, where staff assessed his health and found he has partial sight in one eye, quickly creating an outdoor enclosure for him.

Initially, the rescue organization planned to send Cedar to Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary for permanent shelter, but it was at capacity for moose, leading them to contact the Toronto Zoo as a "fantastic alternative."

To facilitate the move, Lynne Rowe, the rescue's director, obtained swift approval from Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources, as provincial rules allow native animals like moose to be placed in zoos only if they are deemed unfit for release into the wild due to conditions such as blindness.

Dolf DeJong, CEO of the Toronto Zoo, confirmed they have a suitable moose enclosure and will conduct a full zoonotic disease scan and risk assessments before Cedar's transfer, with veterinarians coordinating to ensure he receives necessary care for thriving.

Although the ideal outcome would have been Cedar's release back into the wild, DeJong noted there are upsides to this solution, such as providing a safe, permanent home for the calf.