Moose Calf Rescued From Window Well

Tuesday, June 28, 2011 - Breckenridge, CO

Representatives from the Summit County Sheriff’s Office, Summit County Animal Control and Red, White & Blue Fire District teamed up last weekend to rescue a moose calf that had fallen into a window well at a residence on Peak 7. The homeowners heard noises outside the house around 2:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 25, but did not initially investigate because they thought it might be a bear. The incident was reported to authorities at approximately 7:30 a.m., after the calf was discovered in a three foot deep window well near the front of the house.

Initial efforts to coax the calf to climb out using a ramp with slats for traction failed because the calf was too frightened and the board was too slick. Eventually, the calf, estimated to be approximately a month old and weighing around 75 lbs, was lifted out of the window well using a thick webbing strap and turned loose to join its family.

There were a few nervous moments, as both of the calf’s parents and its twin remained in close proximity to the calf’s location. “We could hear them crashing around in the woods, and the residents had reported that the mother had been pretty aggressive earlier in the week,” said Sheriff’s Office Deputy Daric Gutzwiller, one of the initial responders. “So we kept a pretty close eye out.”

“Working in a mountain environment, with challenging weather and wildlife certainly presents unique opportunities and challenges,” said Red, White & Blue Fire Chief Lori Miller. “One minute, our firefighters are rescuing people out of an elevator, and the next, they’re outside rescuing a moose calf out of a window well,” she said.

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Press Contact:
Battalion Chief Kim Scott
Public Information Officer
Red, White & Blue Fire District
work: 970.453.2474
cell:970.485.4374
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