Wildlife photographer captures crews pulling elk calf from Bow River | 24CA News

Technology
Published 04.04.2023
Wildlife photographer captures crews pulling elk calf from Bow River | 24CA News

A herd of elk crossing the Bow River on Sunday morning caught the attention of wildlife photographer Hunter Scrimshaw. 

He stopped to snap a number of photographs of the herd close to Mount Rundle in Banff, Alta., not removed from the city’s pedestrian bridge.

While he was checking his photographs, he heard a loud crack. 

“Sure enough, I look back and one of the calves had fallen through the ice,” he stated. 

The calf started to battle within the frigid water, kicking to maintain its head above the floor. 

The commotion startled the herd, Scrimshaw stated, noting they appeared confused for a second earlier than transferring on, leaving the calf behind. 

WATCH | An Elk calf is rescued after falling by means of a frozen river

Elk calf is rescued after falling by means of a frozen river

Wildlife photographer Hunter Scrimshaw heard a loud crack when he noticed elk crossing the Bow River on Sunday morning

Scrimshaw urged somebody to name Parks Canada. Within minutes, crews responded and known as for backup. 

“It was amazing to see them jump into action,” he stated. “Clearly they had done this before.” 

Scrimshaw filmed the rescue, capturing the second when crews put straps across the calf’s head and pulled it from the river, with cheers erupting from onlookers — Scrimshaw included. 

Using a sled, the crews dragged the calf to the shoreline, the place they wrapped the drained animal in fireplace blankets. 

After roughly 20 minutes, the calf was capable of stroll and rejoin its herd alongside the riverbank. 

A soaking wet elk calf sits in a plastic tub while a Parks Canada crew member stands in the background.
Crews used a sled to pull the drained calf to shore. (Submitted by Hunter Scrimshaw. )

Scrimshaw estimated that from begin to end, the rescue took lower than an hour.

Parks Canada confirmed to 24CA News that its crews responded. 

“There is a reality to it, if it happened anywhere else, maybe it wouldn’t have been such a happy moment, but for me, I was so stoked to know that Parks has a plan,” Scrimshaw stated. “So I was happy to be there and capture that moment.” 

According to Parks Canada, elk are essentially the most quite a few giant animal in Banff National Park. 

Officials estimate that over 200 elk stay within the decrease Bow Valley close to the city of Banff.