Swimming moose likely exhausted after crossing lake twice

Photo: Allie Brophy

A moose swims in Okanagan Lake near Peachland Tuesday morning.

Wildlife officials are pouring cold water on a unique animal experience near Peachland on Tuesday.

Some Peachland residents had a “once in a lifetime experience” Tuesday morning, when a curious moose swam by the lakefront community.

Turns out the moose was likely looking for a safe and secluded spot to come ashore but was instead greeted by a number of people crowding the shoreline attempting to see and photograph the aquatic moose and she was forced to turn tail and swim back across the lake.

West Kelowna RCMP responded to the scene and discovered a moose attempting to cross Okanagan Lake on June 17th, 2020 just before 8:00 a.m., at Beach Avenue in Peachland.

RCMP tell Castanet the cow moose had swum from Okanagan Mountain Park across Okanagan Lake and was attempting to come ashore near Beach Avenue. "However, she was scared off by a number of people crowding the shoreline attempting to see and photograph her. In response to the attention, the moose swam back across the lake again," says Cpl. Jocelyn Noseworthy.

West Kelowna RCMP and the BC Conservation officer Service are reminding the public to give wildlife a wide berth and ensure they have an escape route. Crowding wildlife of any kind can lead to conflict, injury and even death, usually of the animal. You can also face penalties under the B.C. Wildlife Act.