'It was totally exhausted': Video shows moose seeking refuge in Saskatoon back yard
It isn't uncommon for Harvey Peever to spot rabbits and other small animals in the back yard of his Eastview neighbourhood home.
However, he got a shock when he headed into his kitchen Tuesday morning and glanced out the window.
"There he was in all his glory," Peever said on Wednesday.
"It was just this huge moose was just standing there, just a matter of metres away."
He said the moose seemed winded and its tongue was hanging out.
"He'd obviously been running around, trying to find his way out of the city," Peever said.
He grabbed his phone and began filming the moose. The resulting video can be viewed in the player above.
The moose was one of two that had found their way into the city. There was a heavy police presence in the neighbourhood as officers worked to corral the animals.
Peever said the moose hadn't gone unnoticed with the sound of barking dogs filling the air.
"I'm sure it was just frightened, you know. So it was pacing back and forth," Peever said.
He said a set of patio doors on his shed seemed to confuse the moose.
"I think he saw his reflection … and then he would pace back and forth again and have another look in his reflection."
Peever's encounter with the moose didn't end when it finally left his yard through the only gate.
"(Police) were sort of closing in on them in our back lane area and I went out just to see which direction he was going to go," Peever said.
Standing in his back lane, Peever saw the moose standing at a nearby intersection.
"He was just standing there and he was looking at me with his head down and tongue hanging out and I was hoping that he would stay there so that maybe the wildlife people could come and (tranquillize) him and haul him safely out of the city."
Instead, the moose headed back in Peever's direction.
"He decided it was safer to come towards me than the other lanes which were probably blocked by police cars," Peever said.
"Our eyes kind of locked and he just stood there staring at me, his head down. He wasn't threatening in any way. I think it was totally exhausted."
Peever said the moose then headed off towards a park.
"That's the last time I saw him."
Police were eventually able to round up the pair of moose with the help of conservation officers. They were transported out of the city for release.
Peever said he was struck by the great lengths so many people went to in order to help keep the animals safe.
"I was quite surprised that the police and the wildlife people were able to do that, Peever said.
"Now they're back in the wild. It's just a little bit of really, really good news."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Iran fires at suspected Israeli attack drones near Isfahan air base and nuclear site
Iran fired air defences at a major air base and a nuclear site early Friday morning near the central city of Isfahan after spotting drones, which were suspected to be part of an Israeli attack in retaliation for Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
NEW After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
In his new book 'As Long as You Need', hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.