Gunnison, Colorado, USA – On January 26, Colorado Parks and Wildlife Southwest Region reported a dramatic rescue of a Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep that had fallen through the ice on the Taylor River.

District Wildlife Managers Codi Prior and Clayton BonDurant rushed to the scene after receiving a report late Monday afternoon. Prior initially attempted to use a catch pole but was unable to secure the ewe, so she switched to a tow strap. Together, the managers managed to pull the ewe from the freezing water.

The team quickly worked to reduce the ewe’s stress, covering her face and transporting her in a horse trailer to a warm location. The ewe remained overnight under careful observation to recover from the cold and shock of the ordeal.

The managers returned the ewe to her herd on a nearby mountain. She bolted out of the trailer in excellent health, rejoining her Taylor River companions and bringing relief to the Gunnison office staff.

CPW credited local residents who reported the trapped bighorn, highlighting the vital role the community played in this life-saving operation.

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