South African Rescuers Save 35 Wild Horses From River Flood That Left Them Stranded On Tiny Islands
This is the moment South African rescuers save 35 horses from a flood that had left them stranded on tiny islands.
The rescue operation took place on the Orange River near the town of Alexander Bay in the South African province of Northern Cape last week.
Hugo Foot, Port Nolloth station commander for the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), said the NSRI helped the organisations ‘Have a Heart’ and ‘Network for Animals’ to save the wild horses.
He said in a statement: “At 05h00, Wednesday, 2 February, NSRI Port Nolloth duty crew prepared our sea rescue craft Vodacom Rescuer 2 which we towed to the Orange River, Richtersveld near to Alexander Bay, to assist ‘Have a Heart’ and ‘Network for Animals’ to save horses trapped on islands on the flooded Orange River.
“The wild horses had been trapped on small islands in rising waters and some of the horses were reported to be tethered.
“On arrival on the scene our sea rescue craft, accompanied by members of ‘Have a Heart’ and ‘Network for Animals’ was launched.”
Foot said: “Public members, 4 Namibians, Jacques Kemp, Mark Kemp, Mauricio Smit and Dewald van Jaarsveld, from the Namibian side of the river, launched their two private boats offering to help to assist in the operation.
“The horses were scattered in groups across a number of smaller islands that they had sought shelter on. As the islands were flooded the horses were forced to swim to the next island, causing the horses to be scattered over a large area, some already standing on islands that had submerged.
“In an intense operation the horses were corralled and walked through chest-deep water and at places swum through water to reach larger islands.
“We went from island to island until all of the horses were safe.”
Overall, 35 horses, including three foals, were taken to safety.
Foot said: “Once all horses were out of danger no further assistance was required and the operation was completed at approximately 11h00.”
“The four Namibians, ‘Have a Heart’, ‘Network for Animals’ and our NSRI Port Nolloth rescue team are commended for saving the horses.”
