Area residents rescue deer from icy Algoma lake

A female deer is alive and well after being rescued by a group of citizens from the icy waters of Echo Lake Dec. 10.

“I was driving home (to Echo Lake) and was informed by one of my friends the deer was out there,” said Doug Behrens, one of approximately 10 area residents who took part in the doe’s rescue.

“I went to another buddy’s place, got a boat and went down there, where we met some other guys. They went out in the boat and kept breaking through the ice until they could get to the deer, latched on to her, brought her in and warmed her up until she was ready to be released,” Behrens said, speaking to SooToday.

“I was pulling an empty trailer at the time, so it worked out well. We just put my friend’s boat on the trailer and headed down there,” Behrens said.

The doe was covered in blankets and warmed up once she was brought to shore.

“It was like she knew we were helping her when she got to shore. We were patting her down, putting blankets on her, warming her up. She was actually very calm. I thought she would come out of there kicking and stomping, but I think she was getting close to physical exhaustion by that point.”

Behrens estimated it took “30 to 40 minutes” before the animal regained strength to run off into the bush.

Behrens said it “felt good” to be part of the group which rescued the doe.

“When you see an animal in distress, you jump in to help.”