KING

Moose rescue on Priest Lake, Idaho

COOLIN, Idaho -- Some 30 volunteers started their new year by rescuing a female moose that had crashed through the ice at Priest Lake in north Idaho.

Residents of the town of Coolin first spotted the struggling animal shortly after daybreak Thursday, treading water about 100 yards from shore. They saw the moose struggling on Priest Lake and then it fell through.

A crowd of people gathered to help pull it out, which is dangerous itself on the ice, but even more dangerous when the victim is a moose.

After several hours they managed to drag it to safety.

At first it couldn't walk on its own, but people gave it warm oatmeal and water and warmed it up with blankets.

Soon it ran away into the woods and all the people cheered.

Idaho Fish and Game agents weren't involved. And in fact, Officer Craig Walker said later, "It makes a neat story, but I wouldn't advise anyone to repeat it."

He adds that cow moose can weigh 700 pounds and are often belligerent.