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Three days later, moose still on the loose in Orillia

'The moose is not aggressive at all, so our role is really just an assessment role,' notes OPP, adding MNR officials have been called to lend a hand

A moose has been on the loose in Orillia — mostly in the north end of town — for three days.

"There have been multiple sightings and we've had a few calls today," said Orillia OPP Const. Martin Hill, who posted a short video of the wayward mammal on the OPP's Twitter feed earlier today.

The moose was first spotted in the Old Muskoka Road area Saturday morning before trotting over to the Couchiching Golf Course area.

After a few more social media appearances Sunday, the moose was spotted in the Park Street area this morning.

One resident on Cole Court said she thought it was "somewhat disgraceful" that officials from the provincial Ministry of Natural Resources had not made their way to Orillia to lend a helping hand.

Hill said the ministry has been contacted; it's hopeful, he said, they will come today to help.

For now, the OPP is just keeping an eye on things. Hill said the moose, which he believes to be a female yearling but could be up to two years old, has not shown any signs of aggression.

"He's not aggressive at all, so our role is really just an assessment role," said Hill.

He thinks this moose, at this time, maybe garnering more attention than normal because of today's climate as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"In talking to officers that have been in Orillia for a while, this tends to happen every couple of years," said Hill. "I think just with everything that's going on in the world, so many people at home self-isolating ... it's just getting more attention."

While he understands people's fascination with the nimble creature, he is asking people to give the moose some breathing room.

"There are a lot of people around although they are practising social distancing," said Hill. "But having people around will scare the moose and won't help. It's a wild animal and it's unpredictable."

While awaiting the arrival of ministry officials, Hill said Orillia OPP officers are trying to steer the moose northward, toward Fittons Road and, ultimately, to the Uhthoff forest north of town. 

"We're hoping it finds its way back home," said Hill.