KELVINGTON — A routine call to rescue two stranded motorists turned into an unexpected wildlife rescue for Clint Gottinger of Rebel Towing on April 26.
Gottinger had travelled approximately one kilometre down his road, located 10 km northeast of Kelvington, when he came across a stressed and traumatized moose trapped in ice and water.
“I knew immediately I had to help,” said Gottinger. “My other two customers that I was originally travelling to for a tow rescue were put on temporary hold. I backed up my flat deck tow truck to the moose and got close enough to put a sling around his neck.
"As we started to pull, the moose began to struggle enough to get his butt out. I quickly re-adjusted the sling and easily pulled him out.
"It was like he knew I was trying to help. I got him winched onto the back of the deck of the truck and drove him back to my yard.
"I gently deposited him on the ground and ran into the house to grab a couple of blankets to cover him. He was so stressed, traumatized and exhausted that he accepted all the help without any concerns.
"I even tried to feed him some oats but he refused to eat.
"We did have DNR come out to check on the moose’s well-being, but they figured he would be ok and to just give him time,” said Gottinger.
When Gottinger went back to check on the moose, it had already stood up briefly and then laid back down to recover. By morning, the moose was up and standing on the other side of the road.
The moose, fondly named Rebel the Moose by Gottinger, has now made a temporary home near his yard.
Gottinger assumed that the yearling had apparently been on the run and fell into the icy trap it could not escape.
This is not the first time Gottinger has performed an ice rescue, he said. A few years ago, he swam out to a semi-submerged truck in a dugout of icy water to place a cable on it so it could be towed out.
As for his two customers who were put on hold to rescue the moose, they understood and were helped later that same day.
