Moose spotted in Ottawa area along highway

The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) East Region is alerting residents to the recent sightings of moose in the Ottawa area.

In a post on X, police say they have seen moose in Ottawa “as recently as this week.” The large mammal has also been spotted along the 401.

The significant road hazard has officials asking drivers to be aware of their surroundings at dusk and dawn.

OPP’s advice is to slow down and keep an eye on not only the road but also ditches, especially in danger zones marked by wildlife-crossing signs.

It was about a year ago when a moose was seen in a local Kanata neighbourhood, surprising residents.

It is not uncommon that moose find their way to the nation’s capital, Lynne Rowe, the Director of Operations for Holly’s Haven Wildlife Rescue, explained to CityNews last year.

“The occasional moose sighting happens regularly in the suburbs east of Ottawa and we see them now and then in the rural west end,” she said.

Vehicle collisions with moose can cause serious injuries and possibly death for both people and the animal.

In October 2023, four vehicles struck a moose on Highway 416 south of Ottawa, where two drivers sustained minor injuries and one person was taken to hospital.

The moose died due to that collision.

OPP say “moose can walk onto the road virtually anywhere in eastern Ontario.”