A bull moose found itself in a precarious situation after falling through the ice of Lake Abanakee, located in the Adirondack Mountains. In an intricate rescue operation, New York’s conservation officials managed to save the moose from its icy predicament on Thursday around 11 a.m. The lake is situated near Indian Lake, approximately 60 miles south of Lake Placid and west of the Vermont border, as reported by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
Lt. Robert Higgins, an Environmental Conservation Police officer, shared insights into the unusual situation, noting, “There’s not a training manual for getting moose out of the ice.” He responded swiftly to a passerby’s report who witnessed the moose fall through the ice. In response, Higgins called for assistance and was soon joined by two forest rangers to carry out the mission.
Moose in New York face numerous dangers, including poaching and vehicle collisions, as mentioned by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Additionally, these majestic creatures are impacted by habitat loss and climate change, manifesting in warmer summers and tick infestations that can interfere with their fur health. Thankfully, in this instance, human intervention was on the moose’s side.
Hypothermia poses a significant risk to moose that fall into frigid waters, and climbing back onto ice is not a simple task for them. Rescuing animals under such circumstances carries its own dangers, as rescuers are at risk of breaking through the ice themselves. “We were able to use our ice rescue training to safely get out there,” stated Forest Ranger Evan Nahor, describing their approach.
The rescuers first donned dry suits, allowing them to float and retain warmth if they ended up in the water. They then utilized a long metal tool called a “spud bar” to gauge the ice’s thickness, which fluctuated between one and four inches. To ensure safety, they brought ropes to assist if anyone fell into the icy water. Carefully, they made their way across the lake, choosing the sturdiest route as they moved toward the moose. They also utilized sleds to help distribute their weight and minimize the risk of breaking through the ice.
Using a chainsaw, the forest rangers began to remove sections of ice connecting the area where the moose had fallen to a thicker section. While Higgins pushed away the ice blocks to clear a path, they hoped the moose would swim along the newly created channel to climb out. Considering a bull moose can weigh around 1,000 pounds, safely pulling it out was not ideal.
Unfortunately, the moose directed its efforts away from the thick ice, prompting the team to attempt to guide it down the channel they had opened. The bull moose remained unfazed by the rescuers but displayed a distinct aversion to their sleds. “It was scared of those,” noted Ranger Matt Savarie. With careful maneuvering, they managed to direct the moose towards safety.
After a labor-intensive two-hour ordeal, the exhausted moose finally made its way onto the ice. The cold had worn it down significantly, and there were concerns about whether it would regain its footing. After about 15 minutes, much to the team’s relief, the moose stood up. “It was just an amazing sight to see that huge moose stand up right in front of us,” remarked Higgins. The moose then ambled off into the nearby woods, marking a successful and heartwarming conclusion to the rescue.
