A Halifax moose is no longer on the loose.

The animal caused a stir Thursday morning when it was spotted wandering around the Fairview area of the city during the early morning commute.

CBC reporter Craig Paisley said the moose was tranquilized by Department of Natural Resources employees.

The moose proved to be elusive, taking off when people got too close. (Craig Paisley/CBC)

The large bull moose provided a morning's full of excitement for people in the area.

"I'd been trying to track him, he hid in the bushes that are behind us," said Steven Bradley. "This is kind of fun, it's better than going to work."

Annamarie Beaudry brought a friend's young son to the neighbourhood to see the moose.

"Kids need to see nature. We're taking the land from the animals so they have to come to the city, and that's a sin," said Beaudry. She was amazed when she saw the moose up close.

"It's a really big rack, it's huge. I think it's awesome, it's cool, right in the city, it's amazing."

Beaudry was in the Cape Breton Highlands National Park this summer, a place famous for its plentiful moose.

"We were in Cheticamp this summer, on the Skyline Trail and we were about 20 to 30 feet away from a big bull moose," she said. "This one looks bigger."

Eric Laroche lives in the area and said this is certainly not something you see everyday in a Halifax suburb.

"I think it's pretty neat to be right in my backyard, literally in my backyard," he said. "I've lived here for six years, lived in Halifax my whole life, and I've never seen a moose on the mainland. It's not everyday, that's for sure."

Despite the spectacle people kept their distance. "Part of me would like to get closer," said Laroche, "but the sane part of me realizes I should stay back here."

The moose will now be moved to a safer, less urban location.

Halifax Regional police started to track down the animal after receiving several reports just after 5:15 a.m. The moose was first seen around Dutch Village Road and Joseph Howe Drive.