Raw: Wildlife officer risks life to rescue deer on thin ice

Deer rescue caught on tape
December 29th, 2008 @ 6:05pm
By Nicole Gonzales
A man risked his life to save four deer. Rockport Reservoir starting icing over last Friday. Yesterday, two deer fell into the ice and didn't make it. Today, four out of six were saved. Wildlife officials determined it was too dangerous to go after the remaining two.

Joe Donnell and his family thought they were going skiing today, but when work called they made a change of plans. And it was all caught on camera by Donnell's daughters.

Donnell with Utah State Parks and Recreation is trained for ice rescue, but this was his first real try. So he got in his waterproof ice suit, strapped into a 500 foot rope and walked out onto the lake. He said, "I'd grab it by its hind legs and yell pull, and those guys pulled me to shore with the deer. They were kicking at me. They were trying to They didn't like me being out there. They were screaming and yelling and kicking." One by one, the group of nearly 10 pulled the deer onto shore. Two of the six deer had to be left in the middle of the lake. Donnell said, "The ice conditions are changing so bad right now. It's above freezing. The last trip I did, I probably could've fallen through at any time."

The Division of Wildlife Resources hopes the remaining deer will walk off the ice themselves tonight, but they're not counting on it. Bruce Johnson with the DWR said, "They try to walk out across. They eventually lose their traction and can't stand up anymore. Their legs go out from under them. They're left trying to gather their feet up from under them and the ice is too slick. They can't." Still, everyone involved considered it a success. And Donnell's daughters certainly have a great story to tell to their friends. Rachelle Donnell said, "It's pretty cool because not many people get to do that every day, so we're pretty lucky."

If the deer are still on the lake tomorrow, the DWR and the Summit County Sheriff's Office will reconsider another rescue effort if it's safe enough.

E-mail: ngonzales @ksl.com

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Raw
• deer
• rescue

[Chris180Z]

Just watched the whole video, jusus fucking crist, never EVER pick another camera up again, I don't get filmers like you, its so easy to flim yet some people are retarded and can't seem to do it.

[flashbelle]

@Chris180Z

good thing i didn't film it :D

[bella44darkeve20]

thats just amazing that someone would go out and risk there life to help save the life of an animal. totally incredible. be very proud of yourself

[CyberSoldierD19]

I feel sick. She moves to much! as its being recorded 

[ssackett1123]

guys did u miss that while thing good for him hes got balls and a heart bravo, bravo!

wow if only there were more ppl like thar in the world rather then most of todays kids

[linc0lnsixecho]

I feel seasick.

[TheBossing09]

A KID WITH A LISP!

[1slug2]

@Chris180Z good thing its like a kid filming it? calm the fuck down! I hardly call a little kid a filmer so who asked you dumbass?

[zapazoid]

Nicole is a bitch.

[trianglepoints]

IS little GIRL gonna rescue her dad..if he crashes through the ICE..doubt that..spoiled little mouthy BRAT..

[trianglepoints]

Really stupid for some little girl her dad could be DEAD trying too rescue NATURE..really STUPID POOR LITTLE GIRL.That is fucking DUMB .

[trianglepoints]

Silly wanna be let nature take it's course..yougot to be kidding.. will you alter nature for your daughter at the expense (possible) expense of your own life..very ..DUMB,,let NATURE take it's COURE'S how retarded.