Moose Calf Is Rescued By Two Experienced Calgary Kayakers From Drowning In The Raging Fast River
Two Calgary kayakers turned an ordinary paddle into a tense rescue when they spotted a moose calf in trouble on the Sheep River. What started as a quiet outing quickly became a race against cold water, fast current, and a frightened animal that had already slipped from safety.
Ben Clark and Scott Linton were out on the river in Southwestern Alberta when they noticed the calf near a cliff shelf. Once she fell into the water, the situation escalated fast, and the pair had to act carefully while also watching for the mother moose nearby.
It was the kind of moment that could have gone very differently, and the rescue only got more intense from there. Read on.
One day, an experienced kayaking duo named Ben Clark and Scott Linton were paddling just outside Calgary on the Sheep River in Southwestern Alberta.
Then they spotted a female moose calf opposite them, just above river level, curled up in the area of a cliff shelf.
That calm moment did not last long.
At the same time, the calf spotted them, and when she tried to stand up, she lost her footing and slipped into the raging water below.
As experienced kayakers, they knew that if they didn’t help the calf, she would face the imminent danger of being swept away toward the larger rapids of the river.
Not only that, but the river is mostly glacier-fed and would reach very low temperatures during springtime.
They moved fast, but they still had to think about the mother moose.
This is similar to how a mother moose confronted a grizzly bear to protect her young.
They jumped into action but made sure the calf’s protective mother wasn’t around; otherwise, they would need help too if they were attacked.
Linton was in charge of reaching the calf and grabbing her from the current. With a throw rope and a lot of effort, they managed to get the calf to the river’s edge.
That was only half the job.
They tried to warm the calf by rubbing her body until she gained the energy to stand up and walk away in search of her mother.
Here's the full video about how the kayakers rescued the calf:
The two kayakers had a choice to turn a blind eye to the whole situation. Knowing how cold the river was and the danger of being swept away was very real.
But as if in instant agreement, they teamed up to devise a plan to save the calf while also being cautious about their own safety. This meant they were careful to ensure the plan wouldn’t go to waste if the mother showed up.
That rescue could have ended very differently.
For another rescue, see the strangers who helped a wild horse trapped in a 6-foot swamp.
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