Hope the moose set free in the Quebec wilderness

A moose named Hope has been set free in the forests of the Abitibi. Last June, the young calf was brought to the Refuge Pageau in Amos, about 600 kilometres northwest of Montreal.

The animal, which was only about a month old, had become separated from her mother after they made their way into Amos.

"They both came in the city, both were stressed out," said Marie-FrdriqueFrigon, spokesperson for the refuge.

Conservation officers guided the mother out of the city. But they weren't aware of the baby moose which was found later and brought to the refuge.

Hope the moose released into the wilds of Abitibi

7 years ago

Duration 0:48

Hope the moose was rescued in June, and recently released into the wild. Her rescuers kept their distance so she wouldn't imprint on humans.

Humans kept distance from animal

Many of the moose calves they see at the refuge are just a few days old and need to be fed with a bottle, thereforethey imprint to humans.

"When they're a little older like Hope was, it's harder because they are very, very scared of people,"Frignonsaid.

But Hope's ageincreased her chances of eventually being released because she held on to her fear.

The refuge staff kept their distanceand made sure there were no human interactions.

Moose are still normally nursing at that age, butFrignonsaid the animal adapted well to solid food.

Hope lived inside an isolatedpenin a two-hectare wide forested area. Staff would quietly leave twigs and a special feed for the animal without talking.

"We've seen her grow through a security camera."

Despite the distance, Frigonsaid she became quite attached to the moose.

"I love that girl, but I've seen her one time."

First release of moose into wild for refuge

Hope was released in late November at a time when moose, normally solitary animals, tend to group together.

First the animal was sedated by an injection dart. Then ateam that included wildlife technicians and a veterinarian transported the animal to a forest several kilometresaway where other moose were known to be present.

Hope is fitted with a tag and a tracker collar so staff can monitor where the animal goes.

"We know that she's still moving. Which is good news. We know that winter can be hard for the first year," Frigon said.

"It's not a win yet we hope she makes it through the winter and the summer."