Good Samaritans Race To Save Herd Of Elk That Fall Through Ice

A herd of a dozen elk risked drowning and freezing to death after they fell through the ice and into frigid waters of Palisades Reservoir in Wyoming. But more than two dozen people rushed to the animals’ aid to save their lives.

“I was headed into Jackson to go to work and I noticed a couple cars pulled over,” Dusty Jones told East Idaho News. Dusty was one of the Good Samaritans who came to the rescue. “I looked off to the left and saw a couple of guys beating on the ice with a herd of elk right there in front of them.”

Dusty ran over to help but not before calling a friend to bring a chainsaw.

“Before you knew it, there were 30-40 people there,” Dusty said. “We began cutting a little path toward the shore so the animals could walk out but they were so cold they couldn’t move. That’s when we just started grabbing them and pulling them out.”

People used whatever tools they could bring to help break the ice and pull the animals to safety including crowbars, ropes and chainsaws.

Officials with the Wyoming Game & Fish Department and deputies with the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office were also on hand to help.

Thanks to the valiant group effort each of the 13 elk (including two calves) was pulled to safety.

Dusty Jones shared a video of the rescue, writing, “Getting the last 2 elk out….what an amazing start to this day! All elk survived. Great to see the community come together and help these animals.”

Share this amazing rescue with your friends and family.

Disclosure: This post may include affiliate links.