A Bambi Breakthrough Gone Wrong

Okay, so a deer in Jersey decided today was the day to test the ice. Spoiler: it was not.

First responders from multiple towns had to stage a full aquatic intervention after this not-so-graceful ungulate wandered onto a thawing river and performed an impromptu belly flop through the ice. Talk about a cold plunge.

The dramatic rescue operation involved firefighters literally fishing the soaked, shivering creature from the chilly waters. We’re picturing a very dramatic, very wet deer giving its rescuers the side-eye of shame. What was the plan, buddy? A brisk swim to Staten Island?

This serves as your annual reminder that wildlife and melting ice are a terrible mix. One can only hope this deer learned its lesson and is now sticking to solid ground… and maybe avoiding New Jersey rivers altogether.

Photo: Shakher59 / CC BY-SA 4.0