Toronto Zoo to take in blind, baby moose after province approves transfer from Ottawa

The Toronto Zoo will soon be home to a blind baby deer that was rescued near Ottawa earlier this month.

The two-month-old calf, now named Cedar, was found by a wildlife rescue group on a rural road in Hawkesbury, Ont. He was alone, crying, with no sign of his mother.

Cedar was taken to Holly's Haven Wildlife Rescue, where he has been under professional veterinary care for the past three weeks. According to Lynne Rowe, the center's director of operations, Cedar was blind and initially thought to be completely blind, but tests revealed that he had partial vision in one eye. Staff immediately set up a room to assess his condition and then created an open area for him to move around in.

The rescue center normally sends rescued animals to the Span Valley Wildlife Sanctuary in Roseau, Ont., but the sanctuary said it couldn’t accommodate the new deer. So, Rowe reached out to the Toronto Zoo, describing it as an “extraordinary alternative.”

Cedar’s transfer to the zoo required a formal permit from the provincial Ministry of Natural Resources, which was issued just one day after the request. By law, wild deer cannot be taken from the wild solely to live in a zoo unless the animal is deemed unfit to be returned to the wild due to specific circumstances (such as physical disability).

Toronto Zoo CEO Dolph DeJong said the zoo has the space to house the deer and would welcome Cedar’s adoption. He added that thorough disease testing and veterinary evaluations will be conducted prior to the transfer to ensure the transfer is safe.

While the best-case scenario would be for Cedar to be healthy and released back into the wild, this option has its advantages. “Many Canadians have never seen a moose up close,” DeJong explained. “These are huge animals, with their interesting diets and unique adaptations, and they are so fascinating.”

At this time, there is no set date for Cedar’s transfer or when he will be publicly available. The priority is to ensure he is in good health before he travels.

“This blind moose faces many challenges,” DeJong said. “The responsibility we have to take care of him is very important and an honor.”

Until then, Cedar will remain at the Hollies Haven facility until veterinarians approve the trip and the zoo’s paperwork is complete.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing him in his new home one day. I will definitely visit him one day,” said Roe.

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