Rescuers spotted deer struggling for life in icy water

Conservation officers were returning from a patrol off the coast of Alaska when they suddenly noticed someone struggling in the icy water. It was two deer - the poor things were in trouble.

Alaska Wildlife Service officers were returning from patrol when they suddenly noticed someone struggling in the icy water. These were two deer who were fighting for life - and the staff miraculously came close. The deer were in the waters of the Inside Passage, a network of coastal routes for shipping vessels, approximately six kilometers from land. As the staff determined, the animals had been in the water for a long time, and in addition, they were struggling with the current at high tide. When they were seen, the deer were “in a grave condition, as if on their last legs.”

The officers swam closer and stopped the patrol boat about 100 meters from the deer. They turned off the engines so as not to scare them away. The deer quickly realized what was happening - and swam up to the boat, knowing that they would be helped here. The employees loaded the deer into the boat and headed to the shore. Once on board, the poor fellows were shivering from the cold and prolonged exposure to icy water. According to staff, the average water temperature in the area is 10.2 degrees Celsius.

Rescuers then moved the deer to shore. At first it was difficult for the poor creatures to get up and walk normally, but they quickly adapted and headed into the forest, safe and sound. One even looked back at the rescuers - probably as a sign of gratitude. Deer often swim in the Inside Passage, crossing from one island to another, officials said. In case of danger or difficult situations, they can swim up to the boats themselves and “ask for help.”