A collision with a moose near Temagami that killed the driver over the weekend underlines the need to be careful on the road at night.
Natural resources ministry regional outreach specialist Bill Foy says moose and other animals are attracted to salt on the side of the road. It’s an important mineral in their diets.
They’re also driven out of the bush by blackflies and mosquitoes… and, Foy notes, young moose don’t know where to be or what to do yet.
“Yearling moose are dispersed from their mothers in advance of the calving season, which can result in an increase of sightings along the roadways,” he says.
Foy concurs with the OPP: Be extra vigilant for moose on the road in low light periods this time of year.
And don’t approach a moose. Foy says the majestic wild animals want to avoid human contact.
“No matter how friendly it appears, the ministry would recommend that no one should ever approach a moose,” he stresses. “Moose are capable of finding natural foods on their own, so they should never be fed by being provided with non-natural foods from humans.”
That disruption to their diet could do more harm than good. And Foy reminds us that a moose is a large, wild animal capable of defending itself if it feels threatened.
More on moose and how to react to them are in this audio link: