A family in Soldotna, Alaska, woke up to a crash when a young deer suddenly darted out their basement window at night.
Gunnar Romatz received the special message when he was working at the Kenai Peninsula Fire Station on Sunday, November 20.
Like any nosy person, I thought, “Oh my God, I’ve got to be there and see this, because nobody’s going to believe this,” Rumatz tells the local newspaper. Anchorage Daily NewsAnd, he admits, he almost didn’t believe it himself.
ON (F) Moose: The moose was anesthetized and kept calm during the rescue. Photo: Soldotna fire service
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With its hind legs first
According to the newspaper, Romatz and six colleagues from the fire service met to remove the bedroom occupant from the home. Three biologists from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game and two game hunters were also involved in the rescue operation.
The window, through which the moose broke through, is below ground level. According to Romatz, the elk must have slid in with its hind legs first.
– The hind legs passed through the window, and then continued to slide downstairs, the firefighter explained.
Tocun Canas: A moose, probably foraging, peered out the basement window. Photo: Soldotna fire service
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Maybe foraging
The family living in the house are said to have been visited by Moss with a similar entrance on a previous occasion. At that time, the animal was stuck.
It was in no way an unusual case, Joseph Morris of the Alaska Wildlife Service told the Anchorage Daily News.
He says the cold weather drives the moose outside in search of food.
It’s not uncommon for moose to forage indoors, Morris says.
The intruder was drugged and carried out by firefighters. Romatz is happy that the elk is not fully grown.
Game: The elk is moved on the canvas. Photo: Soldotna fire service
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Less damage
He describes the rescue as somewhat surreal:
– On the stretcher, the moose kept raising its head. We were two centimeters away from each other. I said how are you?” And the elk stared at us, as if to reply, “I’ve never been in this situation before.” Well, neither do we!
The stag was left in the snow some distance from the family home. Biologists went to the animal and took care of some minor lacerations on its hind legs.
Good Moose (H): A young moose was rescued on Sunday, November 20, after a wild night. Photo: Soldotna fire service
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Romatz estimates that it took between ten and fifteen minutes before the elk got up on its own – and headed for the same broken window.
– We shouted “No, no, no, no, no,” says the firefighter.
The young man finally came to his senses, changed direction and ran into the forest.
King of the Jungle: Moose in their natural habitat are pretty much the same. Photo: Soldotna fire service
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