HAINES, Alaska, Feb. 21 (UPI) -- A group of six men in Haines, Alaska, said they roped and rescued a pregnant moose that had fallen into a hole in the ice covering the Chilkat River.
Charlie DeWitt, who led the rescue operation, said the animal was attempting to smash its way out of the ice hole, but to no avail, the Anchorage (Alaska) Daily News reported Thursday.
"(The Department of Fish and Game) didn't know what to do. I decided to take the bull by the horns. It was right out there in the middle of God and everybody," said DeWitt, who was joined at the scene by other motorists who had seen the moose or heard news of its plight.
Local man Bud Stewart, who supplied the rope, said he was able to calm the moose down and she allowed him to pet her snout and eventually slip the rope around her neck. The rope kept the moose afloat while the rescuers tied another rope to the rear end of the animal.
"We got to play cowboy," DeWitt said. "I've killed enough moose in my lifetime and I've eaten enough moose. I wanted to give it a chance to make it."
DeWitt said the moose wandered off after taking a short rest following her rescue.
"Hopefully, she's still alive," he said.
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