The Daring Rescue of Elsa, the Icy River Deer

A Life-or-Death Mission in Suffolk County

The Daring Rescue of Elsa

In a heart-stopping rescue, two wildlife heroes braved the frigid waters of the river. They were at Southaven County Park in Yaphank. Their mission was to save a stranded deer from certain death. Frankie Floridia is the president of Strong Island Animal Rescue. Ryan Gilmartin is a wildlife rescuer from the Evelyn Alexander Wildlife Rescue Center. They fought against the elements to pull off an incredible life-saving mission.

Battling Ice and Time to Save a Life

Struggling against thick ice, Floridia and Gilmartin carefully navigated a small boat towards the desperate doe. “It took a lot of endurance and speed, and we knew that it was a life-or-death situation in the end and we pulled it off,” said Floridia. As they reached the deer, her fragile body showed signs of severe hypothermia. The rescuers knew time was of the essence. “I saw the signs that she was still alive but suffering the effects of severe hypothermia. At that point, I knew I needed to get her back as quickly as possible, back in my car, so I can start warming her up while en route to the hospital,” said Gilmartin.

A Race Against Time

Police officers were on the scene, ready to help. Every second counted. “It was very tough. Another minute and a half, she definitely would not have made it,” Floridia explained. Fortunately, their swift actions paid off. The deer was later named Elsa. Her name was inspired by the character from Disney’s Frozen. She was taken to the Evelyn Alexander Wildlife Rescue Center. At the center, she received immediate medical attention.

Deer saved in ‘life or death’ rescue from frozen lake

Elsa’s Road to Recovery

Grace DeNatale of the rescue center admitted that Elsa’s survival was uncertain at first. “She gave us a scare when she came in yesterday. It was really up in the air whether or not she was going to survive that trauma.” With expert care, Elsa has begun to recover. She is expected to be released back into the wild in a few days.

A Mission Accomplished

Elsa is a Japanese Sika deer. She is part of a species brought to the area centuries ago for hunting. Now, they are protected. Her survival is a testament to the dedication of wildlife rescuers who risk their own safety for these beautiful creatures. “Oh, it’s amazing,” Floridia said. “Seeing her standing, seeing her able to live another life, it’s just a great feeling.” Elsa’s story is a powerful reminder of the importance of wildlife conservation. It highlights the extraordinary efforts of those who dedicate their lives to saving animals in distress.