2 deer stranded in cold Alaskan waters rescued by troopers, get a lift on boat

Two Alaska Wildlife Troopers spotted two deer stranded in cold waters as they were boating to Ketchikan, Alaska. The troopers helped the deer aboard and dropped them at a nearby island.

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 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.

THAI CONSTRUCTION MAGNATE, WHO POACHED PROTECTED ANIMALS, RELEASED EARLY FROM PRISON

The deer were floating down Clarence Strait about 14 miles 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 patrol vessel about 150 yards 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. The average temperature of the water in Ketchikan in October is 50.4 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

GRAY WOLF POPULATION REBOUNDS IN MICHIGAN NATIONAL PARK AFTER NEARLY DYING OUT FROM INBREEDING

"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.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE TRUE CRIME FROM FOX NEWS

"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.

Data & News supplied by www.cloudquote.io
Stock quotes supplied by Barchart
Quotes delayed at least 20 minutes.
By accessing this page, you agree to the following
Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions.