Recently, while enjoying a bright day on a popular beach in South Africa, visitors noticed something strange. Nine tiny animals were floating in a tide pool, and it looked like they couldn’t get out.
The beachgoers got a closer look and realized the figures
were goslings who’d accidentally strayed from their parents and ended up trapped in the dangerous open water. The tide was coming in quickly, and without intervention, the babies would soon be swept out to sea.
Good Samaritans contacted Lindy Elmes of Wildlife Rescue, who hurried to the scene. Aided by local security personnel, Elmes began hatching a rescue plan.
In need of a strong swimmer, Elmes enlisted Warrick, a teenage beachgoer, to help. Though a bit shy at first, the young Good Samaritan was up for the challenge. He nimbly swam toward the little birds and used a net to guide them toward the shoreline, where rescuers were waiting to pluck them from the water.
You can watch the rescue unfold in a video here:
After all the babies were accounted for, Elmes waited for their parents to notice, then began the journey to a safer area for release.
“Once we had placed the babies gently into the container, I knew the parents would follow,” Elmes told The Dodo. “It’s way too stressful for the parents to be caught and also very difficult to catch any birds in flight.”
Rescuers reunited the entire family and watched as they waddled away, safe at last.
“Any release or reunion of animals is what keeps me doing what I do,” Elmes said. “It’s the best feeling ever.”
