In a remarkable cold-water rescue operation in the Adirondack Mountains, New York conservation officials saved a bull moose that had fallen through lake ice.
The incident occurred around 11 a.m. on Thursday when the moose fell through the ice about 200 feet from shore on Lake Abanakee, near Indian Lake. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation shared this information in a statement released on Friday.
Environmental Conservation Police officer, Lt. Robert Higgins, described the challenging rescue operation in a video statement, mentioning that there is no manual for rescuing moose from ice.
Upon receiving a report from a passerby who witnessed the moose falling through the ice, Higgins called for backup and was assisted by two forest rangers.
Moose in New York face various threats such as poaching and collisions with vehicles. They also contend with habitat loss and climate change impacts like tick infestations.
The rescue team took necessary precautions and used specialized equipment to navigate the icy conditions and reach the moose without endangering themselves.
After cutting away sections of ice to create a path for the moose to swim out, the team successfully guided the exhausted animal to safety.
Witnessing the moose stand up and walk away into the woods was a heartwarming conclusion to the challenging rescue mission.
