In the serene town of Didsbury, Alberta — located approximately 80 kilometers north of Calgary — locals recently experienced a stunning and heartwarming event that many may never witness in their lifetime. A young mother moose, only three years old, strolled through the snow-covered neighborhood with not one or two, but three little calves following closely behind her.
This remarkable moment was recorded by local resident Randi Ingram, who spotted the moose family from her backyard and quickly grabbed her phone to capture the scene. “Never three,” Ingram remarked, still in awe. “I have never seen three in my entire life, and we are nature enthusiasts.”
The video, filmed on Tuesday, quickly circulated through the community and beyond. It depicted the mother moving slowly and carefully, guiding her unsteady-legged calves — each just a week old — across the road and through the tranquil streets. For Ingram and her husband, who have been observing the mother moose since she was a twin calf herself, it was a full-circle moment. “The mom was a twin that we’ve been watching for the last three years,” she shared. “She finally had her babies, so it was really cool to see that she had three.”
For wildlife lovers and biologists, this was more than just a delightful sight — it was an extraordinary occurrence. The birth of triplet moose is incredibly rare, especially after Alberta’s long, harsh winter.
Wildlife biologist and author Chris Fisher described the event as “a very unusual situation.” “It’s quite common to have twins,” he explained, “but triplets — while not unheard of — are certainly not a common occurrence anywhere in Alberta, and a little surprising given that our winter was so long and so harsh.”
So how did this young moose mother manage to bring three calves into the world and keep them healthy through such a challenging season? According to Fisher, it likely comes down to access to food and shelter. “The mother moose, who would have been impregnated in the fall and carried the triplets throughout our tough winter, must have had really good access to cover and high-quality food,” he noted. “She likely found a safe area with enough nutrition to sustain not only herself but also her growing young.”
Fisher also pointed out an intriguing ecological trend: moose are increasingly adapting to life beyond their traditional forest habitats. “We’re seeing moose moving into prairies and farmland areas, taking advantage of agricultural fields and human-altered landscapes,” he said. “These regions provide easier access to nutrient-rich plants — a crucial factor for a pregnant moose in winter.”
This adaptability may have been what allowed this particular mother to thrive in Didsbury. The town, once primarily known for its open prairies and nearby woodlands, is now becoming a transition zone where forest and farmland intersect — an ideal environment for resilient wildlife.
Still, experts caution that while sightings like these are enchanting, it is important to exercise caution. Mother moose are notoriously protective — and with three calves to defend, this young mother could become easily agitated if approached. “Stay far, far away,” Ingram advised fellow residents. “You never, ever want to approach a mother moose and her babies, especially a young mother. And if you have a dog, that makes it even worse.”
For Ingram and her neighbors, however, the experience has been nothing short of magical. From her backyard, she has seen foxes, deer, and even large herds of mule deer — but the moose triplets surpass them all. “They were born just behind our house,” she said, beaming. “My husband and I were pretty excited. It was overwhelming cuteness. Everyone down here is now on the lookout.”
The sight of the young mother and her three calves — delicate yet determined, fragile yet fierce — is more than a novelty. It’s a quiet testament to resilience in the wild, a reminder that even after the longest winters, life finds a way.
As the sun sets over Didsbury’s fields, residents continue to keep their eyes on the tree line, hoping for another glimpse of the mother moose and her trio. Somewhere out there, beneath the soft gold of Alberta’s evening light, she moves silently through the grass, three tiny figures trailing closely behind — a living symbol of nature’s strength, grace, and enduring surprises.
