Moose tranquilized by Quidi Vidi Lake in dramatic rescue

A moose was tranquilized and taken away by conservation officers Wednesday afternoon after it ended upin the waters of Quidi VidiLake in St. John's.

The animal was in the water for more than 45 minutes, as conservation officers watched from the shore, worriedthe moose would tire out and eventually drown.

After they set out in a boat,hoping to coax the animaltoward the shore,the moose emerged from the water.

It ducked behind the tanks at the far end of the lake, where officers were able to tranquilize it and carry it out on a large stretcher.

A spokesperson forthe Department of Fisheries and Land Resources said the moose was taken to a safe spot outside the cityand that officers stayed with the animal until it woke up.