Just rescued a moose

This morning at 4 am our night crew up at the mine site noticed an animal in distress.
A moose had got through our border fence and got stuck in our tailings pond.
When dried tailings can be as hard as cement.
When wet its like quicksand.

This poor guy was up to his neck in tailings.
We called the MNR and were told to leave it or we would get a fine and Head office said it was to dangerous.

We quickly devised a plan and headed out into the pond to rescue the animal once there was enough day light









It took us about 2 hours total, but we did it.
I also got it all on drone video.


There's nothing as humbling in life as witnessing a wild animal allow you to clean it off after you rescue it.




We have 3 people staying with the moose as he gets his strength back and to lead him back out the way he came.

a reply to: Macenroe82

very cool

It looks semi small, is it young?

a reply to: watchandwait410

Ya its probably last years or the year before's Calf.

Wow!! WOW!!!

GOOD ON YOU!!!!



FANTASTIC job!!

Screw the MNR!

Thats what we said.
The fines like $2500.00
This is a 9 million dollar a day production mine.
We spend more on Pencils than $2500. lol

a reply to: Macenroe82

Definitely not a '17 calf, that would be nearly full grown by now.

Might be a late '18 calf, or maybe even an early '19.

I'm glad you didn't leave it and I'm glad no one got hurt.

Moose can be dangerous when they have a mind to, but I agree that it's hard to just leave an animal like that even knowing what it could do to you.

Does it still have it's milk teeth?

If it does, maybe you can get some milk replacer in it. Probably pretty badly dehydrated after that ordeal.

Might be worth a call to a large animal vet, they'll probably do it for free.

Is it on it's feet yet?

ATS Double (...kinda like a Daily Double, but different)

a reply to: Macenroe82

I don't know what MNR means but I'm middle fingering them now. You kick a$$ brother


Saving the planet one moose at a time !

a reply to: Flyingclaydisk

I actually just got the call over the radio that She has left the mine site!

Man, what an amazing day!!!!

a reply to: Trueman

The MNR is the Ministry of Natural Resources.

a reply to: Macenroe82

well done brother. leave no moose behind. or something like that.

a reply to: Macenroe82

So proud of all of you!

Love the photos.

Thank you for saving a life, it is a precious act you did.

a reply to: Macenroe82

Did anyone see her eat any grass, or get some fresh water (without silt in it) before she left? That would be a good sign for tonight. How was she walking (i.e. steady or stumbling)?

GREAT JOB!

a reply to: Macenroe82

Kudos to you heroes! I love heart warming stories like these!
I hope we get to see the drone video.

Great job. I bet you’re still grinning ear to ear .



Did you contact a vet ?

One thought that crossed my mind was silica poisoning .

I imagine they would tell you to give it lots of fluids .

a reply to: Flyingclaydisk

I havent got the full details, but when she was laying on her side, one of our native workers cupped his hand and poured water in it, she drank out of his palm.

The guys were cheering over the radio that she walked out on her own.
Our Environmental guy was there with her, he is probably keepin an eye on her.

I now have a 2 hour drive home.
Ill check back in this thread once I get back to civilization.

a reply to: Fallingdown

Hence my question about eating or drinking anything.

I'd have probably considered tubing her (minimally with water) if she was laying reasonably still. This is by NO means a criticism though! But, I'm used to working with large animals.

In any case, great GREAT job!!!