Families spend their Christmas Eve rescuing elk from freezing cold river

Another video of our Christmas Eve Elk Rescue 2021 Barstow WA kettle river.A little back story incase some one hasn't heard.My husband Jeff Stuart and Jordan Fish found these Elk at 7 am on Christmas eve, my husband called me and let me know that he was getting rope and going to walk out on the ice. Shortly after they returned for kayaks the ice would hold in places. They took the kayak out and hook them up one at a time and we pulled them to shore. More amazing people were showing up. I called state patrol the third time because the 2 times prior they informed us that their was no one to help. This time I told them I refused to take no for an answer and that they were suffering and dying. She told me again that there was no one but she would have some one call me. A female game warden called me and informed to to leave them alone and let mother nature take its course. I told her no. I asked what to do with the ones already deceased, I ask if we could some how salvage them. She told me no one was excepting meat. (Ex: Food banks) she told me to leave them lay. Moments later Game Warden Erickson called me and asked the condition of the situation. He told me that we would some how some way salvage the elk and that he was north of Newport but on his way. I think it was roughly 2.5 ish hours before he showed up .There were 6 cows and 6 calves in the water. One calve was already deceased before we started. Our best guess was that they had been there all night drowning, kicking each other, getting huge wounds from the ice. Upon the calves reaching the bank 3 more died. It was to much for their little bodies. We continuously worked on 3 cows and a calf round the clock for hours which is around the time that Game Warden Erickson showed up. He helped us work on the elk and thanked us for our efforts.. one cow got up, Another cow gave up her fight, as she was very injured. The other cow we pulled up the bank with the calve and made a fire in hopes to help warm them up. The calf showed improvement almost immediately, the cow on the other hand was very injured and did not make it. There was another cow who decide it was best to try to cross the river again. The men of our group held the calf up In a make shift cradle until she could stand on her own and walk. After this they rerescued the cow that was again stuck in the middle of the river. 6 elk were saved. 2 calves 4 cows.6 elk did not make it. 4 calves 2 cows. I have to say I am disappointed that the state patrol did nothing. I am very thankful for Game Warden Erickson and Officer Swim for being the law enforcement on scene trying to help. As for the other game warden from spokane valley, I am sad for the out come she was okay with.We did not kill any of these just for the meat. We laid with these Elk, We did cpr on these Elk, We cried over these Elk, we were strong for these Elk as a group! I'm pretty sure we have a broken hand and possible a broken foot and a bruised back and sore noggin from getting kicked in the back and head by a cow Elk for trying to hook a calf up to pull it up the bank in the group but those are the only injuries other than being sore and maybe a couple cuts or scrapes. And crushing our 5 year olds glasses that were in my pocket when the calf tried to stand up and fell on me. Thank you to everyone! From roping the elk, pulling them out, holding them, supporting them, wrapping blankets around them, bringing warm drinks, helping load them, bringing blankets.Jeff Stuart Rylee StuartJordan Fish Autumn Fish Jennifer ClemonsJeff Clemons Jenni Swim Officer SwimGame Warden Erickson Nicole Ring Cyle Ring Stuart Robinson Makayla Clemons Gene Brockman Luke Graeber Travis Morris Ryan DouviaBrett McKernMegan Weber Nathan Ring And the 9 kids! Who toughed it out all day!Music is for entertainment purpose only. I do not own rights to this music.

Posted by Rylee Stuart on Sunday, December 26, 2021