A female moose named in honor of one of Northwest Trek 's founders has added to the wildlife park's population with a dramatic flair by giving birth on or about Trek's anniversary. Animal keepers spotted the mother and the newborn calf, its long legs still wobbling, the morning of July 18. It's believed the birth happened earlier that morning or the night before in the 435-acre free-roam area. The keepers observed the calf, but not close enough to determine its gender. It appeared to be healthy, according to Northwest Trek deputy director Alan Varsik. Northwest Trek opened on July 17, 1975, so the calf GÇô the first moose born there in 15 years GÇô may have arrived on the park's 40th birthday. It definitely arrived in the midst of a three-day celebration of Trek's history in the presentation and conservation of native Northwest animals. The new moose mother, which is 3 years old (same as Ellis, the father) is named Connie, in honor of Northwest Trek co-founder Connie Hellyer. She and her husband, David "DocGÇ¥ Hellyer, long dreamed that their forest and-lake studded land near Eatonville would one day be a wildlife park. They donated 507 acres to Metro Parks Tacoma in the early 1970s for that purpose, leading to the recent anniversary celebration organized by Metro Parks officials. Keepers knew there was a possibility that Connie the moose might be pregnant, but the huge ungulates wander the marshes and forests at will, and staff members had been unable to confirm a pregnancy, Varsik said. The gestation period for moose is 240 days. "The birth of a moose calf at any time is cause for rejoicing,GÇ¥ Varsik said. "The delivery during the celebration is all the more special.GÇ¥ The story of all three adult moose at Northwest Trek involves rescues by wildlife officials in three states. Connie and Ellis were moved to Northwest Trek in the summer of 2012 from Idaho. They were calves then, and each had been orphaned. A hunter found the male abandoned in an Idaho stream, dehydrated and malnourished. The female was discovered beneath a house in Idaho, her mother nowhere to be found. Northwest Trek took the fragile animals in and nursed them to health, bottle-feeding them until they were ready for solid food. Ellis was given the name of Trek's then-deputy director Dave, Ellis, who died that summer. A third calf, orphaned in Alaska, also was shipped to Northwest Trek in 2012 and was n amed Nancy in honor of Ellis' widow. Ellis and Nancy grew quickly and were released into the free-roam part of Trek in April 2013. At the time, they weighed about 600 pounds and 500 pounds, respectively. Connie, however, needed a bit more care. She remained in a special habitat for months until she gained strength, officials said. Once the gender of the newborn calf is known, Trek officials will discuss what to name it, Varsik said. Moose are herbivores that munch on twigs, roots, woody stems, branches and leaves. One that's fully grown can weigh well over 1,000 pounds. Tram tour of Trek afford natural-setting views of moose, as well as bison, Roosevelt elk, woodland caribou, big horn sheep, mountain goats, deer and other animals. Northwest Trek is open from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
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