Four young Sitka
black-tailed bucks fell upon good luck Sunday
as they were pulled from the icy waters of Stephens Passage, Alaska
by a group of locals on Tom Satre's 62-foot charter vessel.
The four juvenile Sitka black-tailed deer swam directly toward the
boat.
Once the deer reached the boat, the four began to circle the boat,
looking directly at the humans on board. Clearly, the bucks were
distressed.
With help, the typically skittish and absolutely wild animals came
willingly onto the boat. Once on board, they collapsed with
exhaustion, shivering.
Here the rescued bucks rest on the back of Tom Satre's boat, the
Alaska Quest. All four deer were transported to Taku Harbour.
Once the group reached the dock, the first buck that had been pulled
from the water hopped onto the dock, looked back, then leapt into
the harbour,
swam to shore, and disappeared into the forest. After a bit of
prodding and assistance from the humans, two others followed suit,
but one deer needed more help. Here he is being transported by Tom
Satre.
Tom, Anna and Tim Satre help the last of the "button" bucks to its
feet.
They did not know how long the deer had been in the icy waters or if
there had been others who did not survive. The good Samaritans
(humans) describe their experience as "one of those defining
moments in life."
I'm sure it was for the deer, as
well.
Our thanks to Wanda Lynch for
sharing this item with us. Such a good happy ending.
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