Mitch LaRue experienced a really adorable first on Saturday.
The Central Okanagan Search and Rescue (COSAR) boat captain was summoned to rescue a newborn fawn that had become trapped in a precarious spot above Kalamalka Lake.
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“We have rescued dozens of people over the years, and even a few dogs, but a newborn baby deer was definitely a first for me,” he said after the incident.
LaRue was participating in a joint training exercise between COSAR and Vernon Search and Rescue (VSAR) on Saturday when they spotted the animal.
According to a COSAR post, it had fallen down a steep cliff on Kalamalka’s Rattlesnake Point and was trapped with no way back.
"The mule deer fawn was likely no more than one day old," LaRue noted.
The search and rescue crews consulted a wildlife expert who told them to mobilize the fawn and carry it back to the top of the cliff where its mother could easily find it.
“She was quite wet and breathing quickly when we rescued her, but she was otherwise uninjured,” LaRue explained.
“We were able to access her with VSAR's jet boat and carry her to the top of the steep cliff where her mother was last seen.”
As is always the case with those saved by search and rescue teams, the service was free and the fawn will not be asked to reimburse the team for its costs during the cute Saturday mission.
