Excavator Operator Rescues Sheep by Scooping It Out of an Icy River: Watch

Mar. 15, 2025

A sheep in China got out of a pretty “baaa-d” predicament thanks to some trusty construction equipment and good timing.

The operator then lowered the machine’s bucket, moved it around the water until it made contact with the sheep and repositioned it so they could scoop the animal up at the perfect angle and lift the sheep to safety.

After the sheep found its way into the bucket, the operator lifted the excavator and apparently helped the animal return to dry land, where it could be seen at the end of the footage staring off into the distance.

While it remains unclear exactly how the sheep fell into the river, who was operating the excavator and how long the sheep remained there, the animal appeared to shake it off and go about its business when all was said and done.

Of course, this isn’t the first time an excavator has been put to use to rescue an animal from a dangerous situation. The machinery has previouslysaved elephantsfrom mud pits, rescueddogs from riversand even removedcamels out of muddy swamps.

Stock image of sheep and lambs on a farm.Getty

Getty

The latest sheep rescue also takes place just months after theTexas Parks and Wildlifeshared a video of endangered desert bighorn sheep being airlifted in a relocation effort in December.

It also comesjust weeks aftera nature preserve in India took on “one of the most challenging rescue operations ever conducted” when it saved a tiger and a wild boar after they both fell into a well.

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Per the clip, the tiger entered the container first before being raised to safety. Rescuers then lifted the boar out separately before both animals were released. “With unwavering determination, expertise, and teamwork, the operation was executed with precision, ensuring the safety of both animals,” Pench wrote under one video, before adding under another that the “swift action” of the rescue team led them to safety.

Pench noted that “with expert coordination and care, both animals were pulled out unharmed and released back into the wild. This rescue highlights the importance of coexistence and conservation efforts. Together, we can protect both wildlife and communities!”

February’s tiger-and-boar rescue mission involved the help of 60 people and lasted around three hours, starting at 9:30 a.m. and ending around 12:30 p.m. local time, per the reserve’s deputy director, Rajnish Kumar Singh.

source: people.com