Heartbreakingly, countless animals end up lost and hurt. Some wander off, others find themselves in trouble through no fault of their own.
They feel helpless, and their survival often depends on whether someone notices and decides to help.
That’s exactly what happened one afternoon in Maine when an ordinary day took a surprising turn.
A Sudden Crash In The Woods
Fifteen-year-old Cole Brown was working on a shed near his family’s farmhouse in Pembroke when a sharp crash echoed through the trees. It was followed by splashing and frantic movement.
Cole called for his sister, Delaney Gardner, and the two set off to investigate.
They traced the noise to an overgrown patch of land and discovered something they didn’t even know was there: an old stone well, hidden by weeds.
When they looked inside, their hearts sank. A huge moose was trapped in the water below, kicking and struggling to stay afloat.
It was clear the animal couldn’t escape on its own.
The siblings quickly called local wildlife officials.
Shortly afterward, game wardens, biologists, and neighbors arrived, determined to get the animal out safely.
The well was narrow and deep, and the rescue wouldn’t be simple.
One of the wardens climbed down to sedate the moose and cover its eyes to keep it calm. Then came the challenge of lifting such a heavy animal without causing harm.
“It was amazing to see the biologist and the game wardens and the community members all work together to come up with a game plan to get this moose out,” Gardner told News Center Maine.
After several careful attempts, they secured a harness around the moose and used ropes and machinery to pull it up.
Everyone watched in silence until the animal was finally back on solid ground.
Back Where It Belongs
The moose stayed still as the sedative wore off, breathing heavily but safely.
Rescuers examined it closely, checking for broken bones or serious wounds. To everyone’s relief, there were only a few scrapes and bruises.
“It ran off with a good stride, bearing weight on all its limbs. Besides some bruises and maybe a little bit of a hangover, it should make a full recovery,” state wildlife biologist Steve Dunham told News Center Maine.
The family later sealed the old well so no other animal would fall in again.
Thank you to all the kind humans who helped the moose return to the wild and continue with its life.