Canadian Moose Relocated, Safe After Stopping by Casino in Ontario

Posted on: March 5, 2025, 03:34h. 

Last updated on: March 5, 2025, 03:35h.

Devin O'Connor @CasinoorgDevinO Read More
Expertise: Asia Pacific Gaming, Commercial Gaming, Legislation, Politics.
  • A Canadian moose was spotted at an Ontario casino
  • Wildlife experts helped relocate the lost animal
  • Canada has more moose than any other country in the world

A Canadian moose who casually made her way onto the property of Casino Rama in Ontario on Monday has been safely relocated.

Canadian moose Casino Rama Ontario
Wildlife emergency responders care for a Canadian moose outside Casino Rama in Ontario. The moose will be safely relocated following a medical assessment. (Image: Casino Rama)

Orillia Matters broke the news on Monday that a moose weighing several hundred pounds was spotted just outside Casino Rama, the casino owned by the Chippewas of Rama First Nation and managed by Gateway Casinos & Entertainment on the tribe’s behalf.

After being spotted by casino guests entering and exiting the facility, officials with the National Wildlife Centre responded to the property after bystanders suspected that the moose might be injured. Once wildlife experts arrived, however, the animal was found to be healthy and only lost.

Along with reps from Ontario’s Ministry of Natural Resources and maintenance and security staff at the casino, the moose was sedated before being humanely and safely transported to an animal sanctuary for further assessment. The moose will then be relocated back into the wild near the casino where he presumably came from.

Ontario Casinos Benefit Province

Casino Rama is east of downtown Orillia across Lake Couchiching in a rural area roughly 65 air miles north of Toronto. The First Nation spans 2,500 acres of interspersed land nestled in Ontario’s Lake County.

Along with the casino’s 1,800 slot machines and 50 live dealer table games, Casino Rama has a 292-room hotel and spa, 6,600 square feet of convention and event space, a 5,000-seat entertainment center, eight restaurants, and the casino’s Centre Bar.

Casino Rama’s slot machines and table games, like all others in Ontario, are run on behalf of the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG). Though owned by the tribe, Casino Rama operates as a commercial enterprise, with the crown agency receiving 20% of the casino’s gross gaming revenue.

The OLG reinvests 100% of its profits back into the province. The OLG also allocates 1.7% of the gross gaming revenue it receives from its partnered casinos to the more than 130 First Nations in Ontario. In the 2023-24 fiscal year, the tribes split about $163 million.

All About Canadian Moose 

Law enforcement warned the public that they should always keep their distance from wildlife and avoid approaching large animals like moose. The public is encouraged to stay on trails and designated paths when hiking, to never feed animals, and to report sightings of animals in distress or behaving unusually to wildlife authorities.

Canada has the largest moose population in the world, with estimates between 500,000 and one million animals. The Canadian moose is a large deer and a symbol of Canada that appears on the coats of arms of Ontario and Newfoundland.

Canadian moose can weigh up to 600 kg, or more than 1,300 pounds, and stand over six feet tall. They tend to prefer living near freshwater sources like Lake Couchiching.

Only male moose grow antlers. Moose are highly adaptable, intelligent, curious, and at times, mischievous. They are not usually aggressive towards humans, but they can be if provoked or feel threatened.

Moose are herbivores and prefer pine cones, balsam fir needles and twigs, soft mosses, aquatic plants, and lichen.