At Holly's Haven, the dedicated team learns to accommodate Cedar's special needs as they devise a long-term care plan for the vulnerable calf, underscoring the complexities of wildlife rehabilitation.
Cedar the Blind Moose: A Heartwarming Tale of Wildlife Rescue
Cedar the Blind Moose: A Heartwarming Tale of Wildlife Rescue
A wildlife rehabilitation center in Ottawa faces unique challenges as they care for Cedar, a blind moose calf with an injured leg, who cannot be released into the wild.
At Holly’s Haven, a wildlife rescue and rehabilitation center located in rural Ottawa, dedicated staff tend to a diverse animal population, including a young blind moose calf named Cedar. This month-and-a-half-old moose, who is unable to return to the wild due to his injuries and disabilities, poses a significant challenge for the center's founder and director, Lynne Rowe.
On a typical day at the facility, one might encounter a coyote, numerous porcupines, and an abundance of young raccoons and skunks. However, Cedar’s arrival has dramatically shifted the focus of the center’s operations. Due to the unique needs of a young moose, Rowe has been quickly learning about the specialized care required for Cedar, who currently weighs around 30 kilograms.
The main hurdle facing the rescue team is Cedar’s inability to be released back into the wild, a standard practice for rehabilitated animals. Expert consultations reveal that while Cedar may regain limited vision in one eye, his chances of survival in the wild would be slim, making him an easy target for predators like coyotes and wolves.
“Based on the consensus from veterinarians and moose rehabilitation professionals, releasing him is not an option,” Rowe explains as Cedar munches peacefully on willow branches in his confined habitat. The stark reality of his condition is compounded by the fact that he may grow to weigh up to 700 kilograms as an adult. With increased size brings increased complexities in providing adequate care and shelter.
Cedar’s story highlights the sometimes heartbreaking realities of wildlife rehabilitation, reminding us of the delicate balance between nature and the obstacles animals face due to circumstances beyond their control. Rowe hopes to create a sustainable care plan for Cedar, much like Holly, the center’s namesake raccoon who lived at Holly's Haven for years due to her own medical challenges.
Cedar's ongoing journey serves as a poignant example of compassion, perseverance, and the need for specialized care in a world where wildlife often faces insurmountable odds.
