She is risen! Dramatic moment A female moose is pulled from a frozen lake in Alaska on Easter Sunday
- Alaska State Troopers, with the help of some local neighbors, rescued a moose from the freezing Chena River
- Footage of the incident shows the group of six men throwing a rope around the moose and rescuing it from the broken ice
- Although “tired and cold” soldiers said in a post on Facebook that the moose has fully recovered from the ordeal and is able to stand unaided
Alaska State Troopers and heroic neighbors rescued a female moose from the frigid waters of the Chena River after it fell through thawing ice on Easter Sunday.
The footage shows a group of six men tying a rope around the waterlogged creature and dragging it to safety from the river that flows west from the White Mountains to the Tanana River near the city of Fairbanks.
Although the moose appeared “tired and cold,” state police officers posted on Facebook that she had made a full recovery and was able to stand on her own – albeit with huge chunks of ice on her nose.
According to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, there are an estimated 16,000 moose in the region and the pre-season population target is 10,000 to 12,000.
Alaskan State Troopers and heroic neighbors rescued a female moose from the freezing waters of the Chena River after it fell through thawing ice on Easter Sunday
Pictures of the moose show it being covered in snow and ice after emerging from the river
Gary Niese, who was among those who rescued the moose, told KTUU Alaska that he saw the moose “fight for its life.”
“He obviously couldn’t get out of the hole and was fighting with all his might,” Niese said.
Realizing he had to act, the brave viewer enlisted help from some nearby neighbors and called in wildlife and state troopers to help with the rescue mission.
A group of six men wrapped a rope around the moose’s front legs and pulled the creature out of the icy river.
Footage of the rescue effort showed the men tugging at the rope while the creature struggled to get back to shore.
Eventually, the moose was recovered from the broken ice by Fairbanks resident Eric Dillion, who also helped, citing it was a “coordinated effort,” he told the outlet.
“With the coordinated effort of all of us, we were able to pull the moose out,” Dillon said.
“It was an achievement, but it was exhilarating, exciting and a beautiful ending to an unfortunate situation.”
Footage of the scene showed the moose struggling to get out in the broken section of the icy river
Although the moose appeared “tired and cold,” state police officers posted on Facebook that it had made a full recovery and was able to stand on its own
The “coordinated effort” helped save the moose. According to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, there are an estimated 16,000 moose in the region
Alaska State Troopers shared an update on Facebook saying, “Soldiers in Fairbanks have been notified that a moose had fallen through the ice on the Chena River and was unable to get out.”
Troopers Chroniger, Lindblom and Norris responded with Wildlife Trooper McDowell.
“With the help of some local neighbors, the troopers managed to rescue the moose from the water and bring it to the river bank.
“Although tired and cold, the moose was able to stand on its own and was grateful for the help.
“Soldiers wished the moose a Happy Easter and warned them of the dangers of thawing river ice.”