Rescuers in England's Peak District were called in after a sheep became stuck in a rock crevice; they eventually located it underground by following its bleating before bringing it back up.
Here's what to know
According to BBC News, the incident began near Castleton when a member of the public realized a sheep was trapped in a rock fissure and called for help.
A three-person team from Derbyshire Cave Rescue Organisation then searched for the animal by listening for its bleats in the underground space and used ropes with a harness to recover it.
The sheep was wedged in a place where it could not free itself, and reaching it safely required specialist help in an area known for caves, cracks, and uneven rock.
Once it was back above ground, the sheep did not appear to be seriously injured. According to BBC News, a spokesperson for the rescue organization said, "It seemed totally unharmed by its underground adventure, other than being a bit muddier than its field companions, and soon wandered off to graze."
What's being done?
Freeing the animal required difficult-access equipment, and the team used rope gear and a harness to lift it out.
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Once back on the surface, the sheep was able to walk away on its own.
The spokesperson added, "It did stop and stare at the team for a few minutes first — maybe saying thanks or maybe just wondering what strange creatures it had just encountered underground."
Where can I learn more?
Here are a few other stories about unusual animal rescues.
• In Iceland, officials launched an overnight rescue effort for a stranded orca near a golf course.
• In India, Wildlife SOS pulled a golden jackal pup from a 40-foot well.
• At a wildlife hospital, rescuers freed a fox cub stuck in a dangerous substance after repeated attempts.
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