Current:Home > NewsDeer struggling in cold Alaskan waters saved by wildlife troopers who give them a lift in their boat-Angel Dreamer Wealth Society D1 Reviews & Insights
Deer struggling in cold Alaskan waters saved by wildlife troopers who give them a lift in their boat
View Date:2024-12-23 22:04:07
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Two deer struggling in the waters of southeast Alaska’s famed Inside Passage finally made it to land, thanks to two Alaska Wildlife Troopers who gave the deer a lift in their boat.
Sgt. Mark Finses and trooper Kyle Fuege were returning from a patrol in nearby Ernest Sound to Ketchikan on Oct. 10 when they spotted the deer, agency spokesperson Justin Freeman said in an email to The Associated Press.
The deer were about 4 miles (6.4 kilometers) from any island in the channel, which is favored by large cruise ships taking tourists in summer months to locations such as Ketchikan and Juneau.
The deer were floating down Clarence Strait about 14 miles (22.5 kilometers) northwest of Ketchikan, but not toward any particular island, Freeman said. They were fighting the current during midtide.
“Out in the middle of Clarence, they’re in rough shape, like on their last leg,” Finses said on a video he shot with his phone and that the troopers posted to social media.
The troopers stopped their 33-foot (10-meter) patrol vessel about 150 yards (137 meters) from the two deer, which saw the boat and headed toward it. The troopers shut off the engines so the animals wouldn’t be spooked.
When the deer reached the boat, they butted their heads against it, then swam right up the swim step, at which point the troopers helped them get the rest of the way onboard. Once in the boat, the deer shivered from their time in the cold water.
“I’m soaked to the bone,” Finses says on the video. “I had to pick them up and bear hug them to get them off our deck and get them on the beach.”
Once back on land, the deer initially had difficulty standing and walking, Freeman said. But eventually, they were able to walk around slowly before trotting off.
“The deer ended up being completely OK,” he said.
It’s common to see deer swimming in southeast Alaska waters, going from one island to another; what’s not common is to have deer swim up to a boat and try to get on it, Freeman said.
veryGood! (89)
Related
- About Charles Hanover
- A battered child care industry’s latest challenge? Competing for 4-year-olds.
- Alaska will not file criminal charges in police shooting of 16-year-old girl holding knife
- Ex-leaders of a Penn State frat will spend time in jail for their roles in a hazing death
- Jason Kelce Offers Up NSFW Explanation for Why Men Have Beards
- Lady Gaga Details “Amazing Creative Bond” With Fiancé Michael Polansky
- Dating today is a dumpster fire. Here’s a guide to viral toxic terms.
- 13-year-old Michigan girl charged with murder in stabbing death of younger sister
- Statue of the late US Rep. John Lewis, a civil rights icon, is unveiled in his native Alabama
- Key swing state faces ‘daunting’ level of uncertainty after storm ravages multiple counties
Ranking
- Threat closes Spokane City Hall and cancels council meeting in Washington state
- Would Suits’ Sarah Rafferty Return for the L.A. Spinoff? She Says…
- Why was Pete Rose banned for life from MLB? Gambling on games was his downfall
- Dating today is a dumpster fire. Here’s a guide to viral toxic terms.
- Voyager 2 is the only craft to visit Uranus. Its findings may have misled us for 40 years.
- LeBron James Reacts to Making Debut With Son Bronny James as Lakers Teammates
- This Law & Order Star Just Offered to Fill Hoda Kotb's Spot on Today
- Bowl projections: College football Week 5 brings change to playoff field
Recommendation
-
Glen Powell responds to rumor that he could replace Tom Cruise in 'Mission: Impossible'
-
Streets of mud: Helene dashes small town's hopes in North Carolina
-
What's next for Simone Biles? A Winter Olympics, maybe
-
Exclusive: Watch the rousing trailer for Disney+'s 'Music by John Williams'
-
Judge moves to slash $38 million verdict in New Hampshire youth center abuse case
-
Tallulah Willis Shares “Forever” Memories of Dad Bruce Willis Amid His Health Battle
-
CVS Health to lay off nearly 3,000 workers primarily in 'corporate' roles
-
John Amos, Star of Good Times and Roots, Dead at 84