Reindeer Rescue

PALMER— Matanuska-Susitna Borough’s rescue units found themselves in the holiday spirit Friday assisting a Fed-Ex delivery vehicle stuffed with Christmas presents and saving a stranded reindeer.

Things started off with the borough water rescue team and animal care chief saving a reindeer off the partly-frozen Matanuska River near mile 68 of Glenn Highway north of Palmer Friday around 9:30 a.m.

According to reports, a fast-moving open flow between the reindeer stuck on the ice, and the shore kept it exposed to the elements for two days.

Several rescue attempts were made by its owners, a family from near Sutton.

Rescue Team Captain Suzanne Stehlik, who also served as scene incident commander, said concern for the safety of people on the ice was the reason for the borough’s response.

According to reports, team members negotiated glare ice while leading, a sometimes uncooperative, 140-pound reindeer named Arthur with a rope. A responder waded through a cold channel of the glacial river leading the animal to shore around 3 p.m.

“One of the things that this does for our team is It gives us real life experience to be able to use the skills we trained for,” Stehlik said.

Mat-Su Deputy Director of Fire and Rescue Ken Barkley said animal care staff has recently trained with water rescue.

“We know how important pets are to people,” Barkley stated.

The animal is a family pet that ventured off into the ice. Once back on solid ground, it was sedated by its owner and loaded onto an orange litter and hauled over the gravel riverbed by ATV.

Family members thanked the rescuers for their efforts. Other than being cold and exhausted, and suffering from a hide matted with ice, Arthur looked no worse for wear. Because the animal was stressed, the owners felt it best to sedate it for the trip home.

Water rescue responders on scene included: Assistant Chief Lisa Jaeger, Stehlik, Captain Josh Hunsaker, Nicole Streltsova, Brandy Berdeaux, Robbie Teeling, Jose Camacho. Animal Care Chief Mattew Hardwig lured Arthur in with calls and grain.

Borough Public Affairs Director Patty Sullivan said everyone kept in the spirit of the season for round two.

“Our responders helped prevent a FedEx truck full of Christmas presents from dropping off a steep road edge in the Fairview Loop area off Hayride Lane,” Sullivan said.

“I’m beginning to feel like Santa,” Barkley added.