An unusual sight at Parlee Beach in Shediac ended tragically for a moose on Monday.
The Dieppe District Ranger Officer received reports about a young bull roaming in Shediac Bay, near the beach, on Monday morning.
Officials say they monitored the animal for several hours as it stood in the water, but it did not appear to be in distress.
At around 5 p.m. Monday, the rangers office received calls reporting that the moose was spotted at Parlee Beach.
When officials arrived – including staff from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans – the moose was swimming about 500 metres offshore.
They say they tried using a boat to guide the animal towards the shore, but the moose appeared to be tired and was going underwater.
The Department of Natural Resources confirmed it drowned a short time later.
