For most people in an active war zone, saving a wounded animal is the last thing on their mind, but for a couple of Ukrainian veterinarians, there were no second thoughts.
Stopping on a dangerous road in an active war zone can carry obvious risks. But in this case, not stopping could have meant leaving a tiny wild animal to die beneath a tangle of anti-drone netting.
That brave decision by two rescuers turned what looked like a lifeless body into a remarkable survival story.
Here's what to know
While traveling through an active war zone, Drs. Valentina and Leonid (@vet.crew) noticed what seemed to be a motionless wild animal caught beneath anti-drone netting, as shared by The Dodo. Instead of continuing to safety, they chose to pull over and rescue the animal.
The animal turned out to be a tiny marten that was still alive but badly weakened, stuck in a dangerous spot where she could easily have been killed by a passing vehicle. Valentina and Leonid took her back for treatment, giving her a chance she likely would not have had otherwise.
With care, the marten gradually improved and eventually started climbing again.
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More Background
The video caption put it this way: "They could have driven right past her, but that one decision to stop saved her life."
If you want to back that kind of work, check out the TCD Guide's page on donating to environmental causes or explore ways of taking local action in your own community.
The marten will now have a safe place to recover and get stronger at the volunteers' animal sanctuary.
Commenters were thrilled by the valiant efforts of the crew, saying, "The Vet Crew is amazing. I still don't know how they do all this amazing work in the middle of a war."
Where can I learn more?
• In Turkey, volunteers rush to aid wildlife after devastating forest fires hit their community.
• At ARC Wildlife Sanctuary, volunteers rescued swans spotted weaving in and out of highway traffic.
• In Scotland, wildlife rescuers responded after a heartbreaking discovery on a high school sports field.
• Emergency vets may take injured wildlife for free when frightened bystanders call for help.
• In Essex County, volunteer rescuers tackled a dangerous predicament to free a trapped woodchuck.
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