3-day-old calf rescued after falling inside sinkhole

NEWBERRY, Fla (FOX 13 News) - A newborn calf has been returned to safety and reunited with its mother after it managed to fall deep into a sinkhole.

The incident happened Wednesday in Newberry, Fla., and soon after, the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office got involved.

They said the hole was just barely two feet wide, but that it was 15 feet deep, and the 3-day-old calf had fallen to the bottom.

It was too risky to send a rescuer inside, so they called on the Animal Technical Rescue Team from the University of Florida’s College of Veterinary Medicine for back-up.

The team said time wasn’t on their side, as it was nearing sunset and a storm was approaching, but they managed to get the job done.

They used shovels to create a gentle slope and a belay rope system, and then hoisted the calf back to the surface.

After it was medically cleared, the calf was then reunited with its mother.

They later posted pictures of the process on their Facebook page.

Way to go, team! We’re glad to see the calf is safe and sound.