ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Two deer struggling in the waters of southeast Alaska’s famed Inside Passage finally made it to land, thanks to two Alaska Wildlife Troopers who gave the deer a lift in their boat.
The deer were floating down Clarence Strait about 14 miles (22.5 kilometers) northwest of Ketchikan, but not toward any particular island, Freeman said.
Political Cartoons View All 1211 ImagesThe troopers stopped their 33-foot (10-meter) patrol vessel about 150 yards (137 meters) from the two deer, which saw the boat and headed toward it.
Once in the boat, the deer shivered from their time in the cold water.
It’s common to see deer swimming in southeast Alaska waters, going from one island to another; what's not common is to have deer swim up to a boat and try to get on it, Freeman said.
Persons:
Mark Finses, Kyle Fuege, Justin Freeman, Freeman, ” Finses, “, ”
Organizations:
Alaska Wildlife Troopers, Associated Press, Clarence, National Oceanic, Atmospheric Administration
Locations:
ANCHORAGE, Alaska, Ernest Sound, Ketchikan, Juneau, Clarence Strait