Update 5 p.m.
The City of North Bay Traffic Department advises that, Memorial Drive is now open.
Thank you for your patience and cooperation during the road closure.
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Update at 2:50 p.m. from police.
"The Moose is still in the water at the North Bay waterfront off Memorial Drive. People, pets, and traffic stress the animal. The Ministry of Natural Resources is working on a plan to assist the animal. The public is urged to avoid Memorial Drive."
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Original article:
Numerous people reported and sent in pictures of a moose swimming just offshore by the waterfront this morning. Memorial Drive was closed for a short period by police.
"North Bay Police are requesting the public avoid Memorial Drive while the Ministry of Natural Resources, North Bay Public Works and North Bay Police are attempting to help a moose exit the water by the waterfront," said a news release.
As of 1:30 nothing has changed. "MNR is still waiting for the Moose to relax," said Staff Sgt. Rick Dubeau. BayToday will update when details are available.
No worries here as moose are capable of swimming up to 10 miles without stopping.
According to Outdoor Canada, from late September through to mid-October each fall, moose-mating season is in full swing so perhaps this moose was just washing off a couple of months worth of sweat.
"By late August, a bull's antlers become hardened bone, having completed their remarkable annual growth cycle. The velvet tissue that covered and nurtured the antlers as they grew has now dried tight to the rack and is no longer functional. It's time for it to come off. Velvet shedding is usually quick, with even the biggest bulls stripping their racks within a day or two by rubbing and thrashing them on shrubs and evergreen saplings."
Moose are the largest living member of the deer family and are found mostly found in northern United States and Canada.
They typically stand up to seven feet tall and weigh up to 1,800 pounds. Moose are able to run at speeds of up to 35 miles per hour (56km).
At least in North Bay nobody tried to ride the moose while it was in the water.
