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By Justine Kelsie

Officers investigating moose found dead in Moonshine Provincial Park

Oct 17, 2018 | 3:39 PM

Two moose were found shot dead in Moonshine Provincial Park and an investigation is underway to find who did it. 

Conservation Officer with Alberta Parks Monica Kirtley-Wark says the dead animals were found last Wednesday in the park, located just over 30-kilometres from Spirit River.

“A younger cow moose was found located deceased in the day-use area of (the park), right in the middle of the day-use area. Further investigation found that there were bullet wounds to her,” says Kirtley-Wark. 

“We found human tracks and a blood trail which later lead us to a second animal.”

According to the officer, a vehicle had backed up the cow, two people got out of the vehicle walked up the dead animal, and didn’t take any part of the animal before driving off. The officer says a fresh layer of snow in the area helped them see tracks. With no blood trail to the first animal, they have reason to believe that it was shot and dropped there. 

“It happened within a provincial park. Our animals expect to be protected here and they are a little more vulnerable because of that. This is a very significant occurrence that happened here. Any information, second-hand or third-hand, please call the Report-A-Poacher line.”

The investigation is ongoing. Tips about any type of incidents like this can be sent to 1-800-642-3800 or online. 

Kirtley-Wark explains that hunting is never allowed in provincial parks in the Grande Prairie area. She adds that Firearms Discharge Permits are issued for two provincial parks in the southern area of Alberta.

w/ files from Curtis Galbraith 
 

by Justine Kelsie