Posted on 01/30/2007 12:32:45 PM PST by Rodney King
Moose couldn't survive dramatic rescue operation Two 12-year-old boys out making ski tracks over the weekend ended up freeing a young moose that had gotten itself stuck in ice on a river. The stricken moose, however, failed to survive its ordeal.
These boys spent Sunday afternoon trying to rescue a young moose from an icy death. From left: Tor Einar Helgestad (age 14), Håkon Paulsen (12) and Jørgen Helgestad (12). PHOTO: TROND BYSTRØM
One of the boy's fathers, Tor Arne Helgestad, and uncle Trond Bystrøm tried to revive the exhausted animal. PHOTO: TOR EINAR HELGESTAD
The moose, believed to be a yearling, had apparently tried to cross the frozen Hobøl River in Østfold County, southeast of Oslo. The ice, however, had collapsed several places in the river, forming a sort of bobsled track that made it too difficult for the young moose to make his way up to the bank.
Exhausted, the moose had finally given up and was found lying down in the icy water that had seeped up through the ice.
He would have surely frozen to death if Jørgen Helgestad and Håkon Paulsen hadn't come along and found him.
"When he (the moose) saw us, he tried to get up and get away, but looked just like Bambi on the ice," Jørgen told Aftenposten.no, referring to the classic Disney animated film where a baby deer repeatedly tries to stand on some ice but slips and falls every time.
So Jørgen hurried home to his family's nearby farm and summoned his father, who in turn enlisted the aid of his neighbour and brother-in-law Trond Bystrøm.
Together, the two boys and the two men attempted a rescue operation. They placed a ladder over the narrow river, Tor Arne Helgesen climbed over it and after five attempts, managed to get a rope around the moose's neck. The four of them then carefully towed the moose on to land.
The moose was dangerously cold and weak, so the four tried administering first aid, drying and massaging the animal to boost circulation. The moose "was so exhausted it just kept lying there," Jørgen said, but after awhile it stood up and ambled off into the woods.
Fate unclear Its fate remained in doubt, however, because the moose sustained a leg injury and later returned to the river. "I've been down there with hay and apples and the moose is eating, but he's injured," said Tor Arne, who alerted wildlife officials.
They decided to wait another day before deciding whether the moose should be destroyed. "The moose has been weaned and should be able to survive on its own, but then there's that leg injury," said the elder Helgestad on Monday evening.
The animal's condition worsened overnight and he refused to eat on Tuesday. The authorities advised that it was best to put him out of his misery, and the moose was shot Tuesday morning.
The unusual close encounter with the animal that the Norwegians call "the king of the forest" (skogens konge) made a huge impression on the boys. "In the beginning I was a bit afraid of him, but he was so tired, poor thing.," Jørgen said. "It was the first time I've patted a living moose."
Got Kevlar??
;-)
Sister?
I'm first.
The King of the Forest is in someone's freezer.
Sounds like it's now time to head back down there, but this time with carrots, potatoes and onions.
At least they didn't spend thousands and thousands on the "rescue". What ever happened to euthanizing animals when they get into situations like this?
Nasti bites...
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.