Moose tales of Muskoka, how these majestic Canadian animals found refuge

Ella the moose is celebrating her 10th birthday at Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary in Muskoka, Ontario.

At Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary in the heart of Muskoka, every animal has a unique story. Some begin in hardship, others in danger but all are met with compassion, care, and a commitment to seeing each special soul find their way back home.

Among the many animals under watchful eye at the northern sanctuary, the moose, a majestic symbol of the Canadian wilderness holds a long-lasting place.

Each moose has walked a different path of life... quite literally. Some have even found their way into dangerous territory like the busy highway.

Moose in the median

It was a tense and uncertain few days when a young cow moose had taken refuge in the narrow median along Highway 400. “Not moving much, and at real risk if she decided to cross into traffic,” shared the team at Aspen. She stayed there nearly motionless for five days. When passerby’s had noticed, calls came pouring in.

On June 5, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, police, and the National Wildlife Centre coordinated a remarkable rescue. In a strategic move, both directions of the highway were shut down and the baby was successfully sedated and transported to her now peaceful surroundings of Aspen Valley.

Safe in a large outdoor enclosure, the youngin is under close watch. The team says they are still monitoring her for signs of illness or injury, but for now, she’s recovering quietly in the summer Muskoka air.

A match made in heaven

While one moose begins her road to recovery, two youngsters are just beginning theirs. Orphaned under unknown circumstances, the moose calve duo arrived at Aspen Valley in separate incidents. Alone at first, they’ve now found each other forming a beautiful friendship.

“They’re growing stronger every day on their journey back to the wild,” shared the team at the sanctuary. In a cozy enclosure, and bundles of hay beneath their hooves, the moose are slowly warming up to each other.

A decade of loving Ella the Moose

Then there’s Ella, the moose who’s been at Aspen Valley the longest. This past May, she hit a decade, and while the celebration was a little belated the love certainly wasn’t.

Ella’s story is different from the rest of her fellow moose friends. She can’t be released and Aspen Valley has become her forever home.

Over the years Ella has become a quiet ambassador for her kind, teaching staff about the strength of these majestic creatures.

While moose in the wild live roughly 15 to 25 years, “with your continued support, we’re hoping for many more wonderful years with this incredible girl,” shared Muskoka staff.

Her birthday isn’t just a milestone, it’s a moment for the sanctuary to reflect on everything she represents; resilience, love, and the importance of lifelong care for animals all over the beautiful earth.

Nap time for one sleepy guy

To top it all off, here is one of the orphaned moose calves soaking up a peaceful nap. He’s got a long journey ahead, according to staff but for now, he rests warm, full, and surrounded by his care team.

The team will be there every step of the way until he’s strong enough to return to the wild where it all started.