Seven reindeer rescued after being trapped on sea ice near Kotka

Firefighters in southeastern Finland conducted an unusual animal rescue operation on Tuesday after seven reindeer became stranded on breaking sea ice near Kotka, public broadcaster Yle reports.

The reindeer were discovered trapped on the ice west of Tiutinen island after apparently being startled and fleeing onto the weakening spring ice. A local resident alerted emergency services when the animals could no longer move as the surrounding ice fractured.

“We do get animal rescue calls on the ice in spring, but I’ve never had this many to save at once in my career,” said duty station chief Juhana Kolppo of the Kymenlaakso Rescue Department.

Rescuers in surface rescue gear first attempted to guide the animals back to the mainland. Two reindeer were transported by a local resident using a hydrocopter to the larger Pirkköyri island, while the remaining five swam and ran across the ice to the small Pikkusaari islet, which measures less than 2,000 square meters.

After assessing the reindeer were unharmed but unable to return to shore, rescuers directed the entire herd to Pirkköyri island, roughly nine hectares in size with summer cottages and sufficient food. “They have space and food there, and can wait out the season. They could also swim to the mainland from the island’s western side—it’s 300–400 meters of open water, and reindeer are strong swimmers,” said firefighter Tatu Niskanen.

Rescue services remain on standby in case the animals return to unstable ice. The operation marked one of the region’s more unusual wildlife rescues, with rescuers noting the reindeer handled the ice and water transitions more easily than moose typically would.