First responders saved a moose that fell through lake ice in New York. Here's how they did it

A bull moose in the Adirondack Mountains was rescued by New York conservation officials after it fell through the ice on Lake Abanakee. The incident occurred around 11 a.m. on a Thursday, approximately 200 feet from the shore, and was reported by a concerned passerby. In response, Environmental Conservation Police officer Lt. Robert Higgins and forest rangers mobilized to the scene to carry out the challenging cold-water rescue.

Higgins acknowledged the uniqueness of the situation, stating, "There's no training manual for getting moose out of the ice." Moose face various dangers in New York, including poaching, vehicle collisions, and environmental challenges stemming from habitat loss and climate change. As such, quick action was imperative to save the moose from hypothermia, given its struggle to climb out of the water after breaking through the ice.

The rescuers donned dry suits for warmth and safety, using a long metal spud bar to assess the ice's thickness, which varied significantly. They carefully navigated the lake's surface, utilizing sleds to distribute their weight and avoid breaking the ice beneath them. A chainsaw was employed to create a channel through the ice, ideally guiding the exhausted moose toward thicker ice.

Despite their efforts, the moose did not initially respond as hoped, opting not to swim toward the thicker ice. Remarkably, it was frightened by the rescuers' sleds, which allowed the team to herd it toward the safer ice zone. After a strenuous two-hour ordeal, the moose finally managed to crawl onto the ice as it regained its footing.

After a brief moment of uncertainty, the huge bull moose stood up, much to the relief and amazement of the rescuers. Higgins reflected on the moment, calling it "an amazing sight" to witness the moose rise after such a tiring struggle, underscoring the importance of their intervention in preserving the animal's life.