Published July 10, 2024

FREDERIC SERRE
The 1019 West

A young moose on the loose that led police and wildlife officials on a wild, five-hour chase along Highway 40 in Vaudreil-Dorion late last month was eventually herded back unhurt to a forested area in the town a few kilometres away, police said.

According to the Sûreté du Québec, citizens began making 911 calls as early as 5 a.m. on June 26, saying a moose was running loose along eastbound Highway 40. After searching the area, officers with the SQ and Quebec’s wildlife protection services located the frightened animal and ordered the closure of the westbound Highway 30 exit at about 8 a.m.

According to Élizabeth Marqui-Guy of the SQ, officers came close to cornering the moose, but it managed to escape by running into the parking lot area near the Walmart store on De la Gare Blvd., trotting along the store’s main entrance area before the outlet opened. It was then seen trying to cross Highway 40. Finally, at about 10:30 a.m., officers on scene were able to lure the animal back to the forest where it is believed to have come from, while reopening the Highway 30 exit to traffic.

Valleyfield resident Jacques Rocheleau says he was driving along Highway 40 at about 5 a.m. when he first spotted the animal near the Highway 30 exit.

“He was running in between the 30 and the 40,” Rocheleau said.

Chantale Laplante of Vaudreuil-Dorion said she called 911 when she saw the moose running along the highway at about 8 a.m. “I’m the one (of the residents) who called it in this morning at 8,” Laplante said. “I really hope that he is safe and sound. It’s such a good thing that we were responding in so many numbers,” she added, referring to the frantic calls posted on social media to rescue the wandering animal.

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