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Moose saved from icy lake

April 7, 2009 05:21 PM

April 7, 2009 07:55 PM
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Moose saved from icy lake
Story by:
Melissa Luck / KXLY4 Executive Producer

SPOKANE -- It may be warming up, but some lakes in our area are still frozen over, and a moose in Newman Lake found that out the hard way.

The animal fell through the ice this morning and it took a valiant effort to try and save him

"We got a 911 call, something out on the ice," said Bob pool of the Newman Lake Fire Department.

The ordeal began shortly after 9:00 Tuesday morning out in the middle of Newman Lake.

"He was about two football fields out in the middle of the lake," Spokane County Sheriff's Deputy Wade Nelson said.

It is not uncommon to see moose out here this time of year, but this was a first for Marshall Peterson who lives near the lake.

"First time I've ever seen one on the ice being rescued," said Peterson.

This rescue would not be an easy one because by the time rescuers got to the moose, he was helpless.

"When he first went in, he was getting out up to his chest and falling back in, but when we got out there he was so tired he could barely keep his head out of the water," Deputy Nelson said.

The water rescue team and the Newman Lake Fire Department had to get creative to save the animal.

"We got a rope around his chest, got a three-one system out on the ice with ice anchors," said Deputy Nelson.

The pulley system seemed to work, and the moose showed signs of life, but the rescue was not without its challenges.

Aside from battling to get the moose free, rescuers had to battle to keep themselves safe on the soft ice beneath them.

Finally, after hours of work, they pulled him in and onto shore.

With a little sunshine and a lot of oxygen, they hoped to bring the moose back to his feet.

"When we first pulled him out, he couldn't even move. He was taking a breath every 30 to 40 seconds, now he's getting some life back into him, so, I think he's gonna make it," Deputy Nelson said.

Peterson was happy to see the moose safe, but he was also in awe at something he will likely never see again.

"Those guys are exhausting, but they do so great! They've been out here two to three hours. Look at that baby feeding off the oxygen," Peterson said.

Click here for the website where you can view the rescue video!! http://www.kxly.com/Global/story.asp?S=10147165

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