A tiny Nigerian dwarf goat named Aphrodite faced a precarious night stranded on a narrow cliff ledge near her British Columbia farm without a way back to safety. Fortunately, a Metchosin firefighter came to her rescue, descending on ropes with a pocketful of treats to bring her back home.
Here's what to know
According to Vancouver Is Awesome, Aphrodite ended up on a ledge about 10 feet (three meters) below the top of a cliff near LaBonne Road in Metchosin, British Columbia, after going over the edge by her farm. She could not climb back up on her own, so she remained stranded overnight until firefighters arrived.
Jacob Lamb, who led the rescue for Metchosin Fire, said the team's focus was getting the pet goat out without adding any harm or stress.
"This little girl was a pet and was in trouble," Lamb said.
Technical rescue gear was needed, and the team had to move carefully on the cliff face. Before anyone descended, firefighters cut back broom and cleared away debris to open a route down.
With the route prepared, firefighter Michael Campbell went over the edge on rope gear with goat treats, reached Aphrodite, put her in a harness and helped lift her to the top.
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More background
The cliffside near Matheson Lake rises about 59 feet (18 meters), and Lamb said that meant Aphrodite was fortunate to land on a ledge relatively close to the top instead of much farther down.
Lamb said Metchosin's agricultural character shapes how firefighters prepare, since the department may be called to rescue animals as well as people.
"We're an agricultural community, so we are trained for animal rescue as well as people," Lamb said.
Lamb said those kinds of calls are not new for Metchosin Fire, which has previously helped dogs stranded on cliffs and horses in precarious situations.
What's being done?
The crew used the same organized rope-rescue approach that would be required in other high-angle emergencies.
The department said that level of preparation is part of its regular training.
"Metchosin Fire members regularly train in technical rescue skills to ensure they are prepared when people — or animals — find themselves in difficult situations," the department said. "Great work by our crews, and a happy ending for this little goat."
Where can I learn more?
Aphrodite's rescue is one of several animal emergencies that have required careful, often risky recoveries. These stories include cliffside encounters, storm rescues, and other difficult saves by firefighters and wildlife responders.
• At Glacier National Park, tourists risk it all for an up-close photo with a mountain goat.
• In Enid, Oklahoma, pet goats lead rescuers to a family buried after a tornado.
• In San Dimas, firefighters rescued an owl suspended 50 feet above the ground.
• In Colorado Springs, firefighters helped a 650-pound baby moose stranded near a local park.
• In India, Wildlife SOS pulled a jackal pup from a 40-foot well alive.
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