An elderly couple living on the shore of Lake Lun in Washington state noticed a young deer that couldn’t stand and was stuck about 150 meters from shore on thin ice. This body of water, like many others in the Seattle area, plays an important role for local residents as a place for recreation and nature-watching, and for the region’s ecosystem it provides habitat for birds, fish and other wildlife while helping to maintain the water balance. The couple, who had experience rescuing animals, immediately called the local fire crew and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). That department is responsible for managing and protecting natural resources, including lakes, and connects with local communities through educational programs and collaboration with residents to preserve natural heritage, reflecting the region’s shared environmental values.
By the time rescuers arrived, neighbors had already gathered at the scene and one teenager was even preparing to try to help the animal himself. Responding to the call was 26-year-old firefighter Gavin Gallagher, trained in rescuing people from ice but never having dealt with wild animals before. The ice that day was particularly thin due to an unusually warm winter. Initially Gallagher crawled toward the deer, distributing his weight, but because of the long distance he had to stand and walk, which was extremely risky.
Approaching the frightened animal, the firefighter tried to cover its eyes to calm it, but that didn’t work. He then managed to slip a loop of rope over the deer, after which he lay down on the ice and wrapped his arms tightly around it from behind. On Gallagher’s signal, the team on shore began carefully hauling the firefighter and the deer across the ice toward land using a safety line.
Onshore, wildlife specialists examined the deer, confirmed it had no injuries or hypothermia, and transported it to the nearest forested area away from the road. As soon as the animal was released, it immediately ran into the brush, the best confirmation of the successful conclusion of the unusual rescue operation.
Based on: Firefighter bear-hugs terrified deer on icy lake in rescue near Spokane