Wildlife rescue attempts do not always have happy endings. Unfortunately, despite a valiant effort, that is what happened in central Montana.
A cow elk and a calf fell through the ice on Lake Sutherlin, approximately 75 miles east of Helena. With the help of the local sheriff, a biologist with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks gathered some equipment and made his way toward the animals. He tried to lasso the two with a rope but was unsuccessful.
According to a Facebook post, the two men eventually obtained the carcasses and harvested the meat for distribution.
(Photo source: Meagher County Sheriff’s Department)