By Charlie Bown
At the young age of one year, Bell* the Moose decided to pay a visit to beautiful Bell Island. Instead of taking the usual mode of transportation, the ferry, he decided to come another way.
Early on the morning of October 9, 1981, Bell entered the waters off Portugal Cove and swam across the tickle, a distance of about three miles. Bell landed at the back of the beach on Bell Island. Bell Islanders, on hearing of this unusual visitor to their shores, rushed in droves to the beach to greet Bell. Amongst the cheers of the crowd, Bell walked up a narrow path on an incline up towards the top of the 250 foot cliff. On nearing the top he found he could not jump the ledge. He turned around and came down the same path and walked up the paved Beach Hill (no taxi!). On reaching the top of the hill, he turned right and walked down the Long Harry Road, where he entered the woods in the area of the lighthouse. Having stayed in the east end for about ten days, Bell went on to the more thickly wooded part of the island to the west. This would become his home for the duration of his long stay on the island.
Having led a bachelor life for over ten years (and loving it), it was decided to bring over a mate for Bell. On the afternoon of July 5, 1991, a female of tender years was flown over by helicopter. Anabaw, which is Wabana spelled backwards, was released to find her husband Bell. No issue was recorded from this union. Anabaw was found dead in a large hole on December 2, 1992.
Bell Lived in the woods during the winter months, and was rarely seen. In August, 1993, single once again, Bell came out of the woods and joined the cattle on the community pasture as was his custom . Still the romantic, Bell singled out a young heifer to be his companion for the next month or so. Many a battle was raged between Bell and the young males, who felt that this was their turf, and therefore hands off. One battle was seen where Bell threw a young bull over a fence! Cattle owners were not pleased with the actions of Bell as it interfered with the cycle of nature. They planed to have their calves born early in the spring so they would be ready for the pasture in June.
Bell the Moose was found dead of a heart attack at the edge of Bell pond on November 3, 1994. He was 14 years old. Bell's death saddened the residents of Bell Island. He was a stately fellow, and seemed to enjoy getting his picture taken.. He would stand still and look at the camera.
Bell's antlers can be seen at the town hall in the winter, and at the museum in the summer.
* When the moose first came to Bell Island, everybody thought it was a she, and she was called Belle. After a few months on the pasture it was discovered that she was a he, so the spelling was changed to Bell.