April Ellingham was surprised this week when she spotted a moose with large ears in her Grande Prairie, Alberta home’s flower bed. Initially mistaken for a rabbit, Ellingham found humor in the moose’s presence, describing it as “chilling” in her garden. Living in a serene neighborhood in northern Alberta, Ellingham shared that while deer sightings were common, moose encounters were not. Over four days, the moose roamed the area before settling in Ellingham’s garden, unperturbed by attempts from Alberta Fish and Wildlife officers to coax it away.
Dubbed “Bob” by Ellingham’s husband, the moose garnered attention from neighbors who came to photograph the unusual visitor. After a neighbor pointed out that Bob was actually a female, Ellingham renamed the moose “Roberta.” Alberta Fish and Wildlife highlighted that moose might venture into urban areas in search of food or to evade predators, advising caution during encounters. The officials cautioned against provoking or approaching moose and recommended creating space for the animals to retreat. In case of a charge, individuals were advised to seek shelter behind solid objects.
As of Friday, Roberta had left Ellingham’s property, but the possibility of a return visit remained uncertain. The episode served as a reminder of the need to respect wildlife boundaries and exercise caution around such encounters.