SASKATOON — The Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment is reminding residents to respect and give space to wildlife since it has been part of the natural landscape of the province.
The Ministry issued the statement after a female moose ended up inside one of the classrooms at Sylvia Fedoruk Community School on Thursday morning. The moose sighting in the school became a huge story on social media that it was even picked up by The New York Times. A male moose was also allegedly sighted also in the area.
The moose broke through one of the custom windows, which was about six feet in length and three feet in width. Before and After care staff of the Boys and Girls Club were the first to see the moose, as stated on the Saskatoon Evergreen and Aspen Ridge Community Association’s Facebook page.
Sylvia Fedoruk Community School is located within the Evergreen and Aspen Ridge communities. The ecological preserve Northeast Swale, a 290-hectare prairie landscape, is just west of Aspen Ridge.
“Urban areas have been built along natural wildlife corridors such as rivers, forests and valleys. So, it is common to see wildlife in these areas. Wildlife travel these corridors mostly without incident but can sometimes come into conflict with people and property, as occurred Thursday morning,” the Ministry said in a statement sent to SASKTODAY.
“Many types of wildlife, including moose, are a natural part of the landscape in Saskatchewan and should always be given space and respect. Saskatoon residents share green spaces with many forms of wildlife such as deer, coyotes, rabbits and squirrels.”
Rabbits and squirrels have become a normal sighting in the city, while there have also been several incidents where coyotes and deer were also seen. Other possible animals that can be in Saskatoon are beavers, foxes, muskrats, porcupines, and skunks.
“Generally, it’s possible for people and wildlife to avoid each other in these areas, and keep incidence of conflict low.”
But seeing wildlife can also give residents an amazing experience, added the Ministry’s statement.
“Also, many residents of Saskatoon enjoy the opportunity to view and photograph wildlife in the urban environment. The Ministry commonly gets calls from concerned citizens with deer sightings close to roadways, or from dog owners concerned about coyotes.”
Conservation officers arrived at the school and the Saskatoon Police Service were also on the scene to assist. Conservation officers successfully tranquilized the moose and removed it out of the school. It took about 10 people — conservation officers and police — to carry the moose to be loaded on a truck.
The moose was found to be healthy with only superficial injuries. Conservation officers were able to successfully and safely release the moose back into the wild at a location east of the city.
The City of Saskatoon has limited services when it comes to wildlife, but they still have information on wildlife management on their website at saskatoon.ca.
Residents with any wildlife concerns can also call the Urban Biological Services at 1-306-975-3300 or the 24-hour customer service centre for emergency after office hours at 1-306-975-2476.
Anyone spotting wildlife of concern (moose, deer, bears) in the city should contact their local Ministry of Environment office at 1-306-933-6240 or call Saskatchewan’s 24-hour Turn in Poachers and Polluters (TIPP) line at-1-800-667-7561. SaskTel subscribers can also reach the TIPP line by dialing #5555 on their cell phones.
