Deer rescued from icy waters

A whitetail doe deer was rescued from the Green River Sunday morning after residents reported seeing her fall through the ice.

According to Det. Luke Benson with the Green River Police Department, officers were flagged down by residents near Expedition Island at about 8:15 a.m. Sunday morning, reporting that a deer had fallen through the ice and was partially submerged.

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department, along with the Green River Fire Department, were contacted about the struggling doe.

Mike Liberty, assistant fire chief for the GRFD, said their ice rescue team responded and stood by until receiving permission to rescue the doe. From start to finish, Liberty said the rescue took approximately 45 minutes. The ice rescue team used a a number of ropes, along with special ice rescue suits and an inflatable device known as a nebulus to conduct their rescue.

Liberty said this was the first time the department has rescued a deer as part of a service call.

Dillon Herman, the game warden responding to the scene, said the game and fish department doesn't typically rescue animals, preferring to allow nature to take its course. However, in situations where animals face conflict in urban environments, he said the game and fish department will work in the best interest of both the animal and the public.

"It's really situation dependent," he said.

Once the doe was taken from the water, Herman and he and a biologist looked over the doe to make sure she hadn't suffered any injuries from the ordeal.

Aside from being wet and cold, she wasn't affected by the frigid ice or her struggle.

After allowing the doe to recover and calm, she was moved to an area where she could find easy cover.

"We anticipate she'll be just fine," Herman said.

Benson said the incident illustrates how important it is for residents to report what they see to police officers.

"We have officers on duty ... but there are more eyes out in the community," Benson said.