BC Hydro rescued a tiny deer from peril a few weeks ago after it was discovered swimming in the forebay at Seton Generating station in Lillooet.
The small fawn was trying to swim in the forebay, which is the area at the end of a long canal that feeds water into the penstock and then down into the dam’s generator, explains Susie Rieder, a spokesperson with BC Hydro, in an email.
"The fawn was swimming close to a ladder that was installed to give deer and other wildlife an escape route in case they get caught in this exact situation," she says.
"The employee called in another BC Hydro employee who was working in the powerhouse below. Together they found a rope and were able to use it to fish the deer out of the water."
Once the deer was out of immediate danger and resting on dry land, one of the employees went to get help. He got in touch with a Natural Resource Specialist who helped track down a Conservation Officer (CO) working in the Bridge River area.
Guided the small deer to safety
The BC Hydro employees and the Conservation Officer then guided the fawn into the trees through a hole in the fence, which Rieder says is likely the same one that it had entered through.
The following day the BC Hydro employees went back and repaired the hole, which had been cut by vandals earlier in the week.
BC Hydro also shared the rescue story on Twitter this week, which included a video of the effort.
The company writes that the petite creature is "lucky to be alive" after nearly drowning at the station. It adds that the fawn was "exhausted and unable to free itself" during the ordeal.
Have a look at some photos and a video of the encounter.
Oh deer! This little fawn is lucky to be alive after being rescued from drowning by our team at Seton Generating Station near #Lillooet. pic.twitter.com/vaIBsjsx5A
— BC Hydro (@bchydro) December 21, 2020
Our team came across the baby deer during their regular inspections on site. The little fellow had gone for an unexpected swim and was exhausted and unable to free itself. Our team got to work and using a rope, found a way to bring the fawn to safety. #Lillooet pic.twitter.com/4kzQ8d7JAO
— BC Hydro (@bchydro) December 21, 2020
Wildlife protection a "top priority" for BC Hydro
A young deer that had fallen through the ice of Okanagan Lake near Vernon is wrapped in BC Hydro blankets following a rescue involving BC Hydro, Okanagan Pile Driving and Mike V's Automotive. Photo via BC HYDRO Rieder adds that protecting wildlife is a top priority for BC Hydro, and that the company has helped out multiple animals in the past.
"Back in 2018 a crew working in the Okanagan also rescued a baby deer that had fallen through the ice and into Okanagan Lake near Vernon," she explains. "We also have a Fish and Wildlife Conservation program that supports habitats affected by BC Hydro facilities."
In 2018, the young deer that fell through ice into Okanagan Lake near Vernon was rescued by a handful of men.
All the men on the water, a combination of workers from Okanagan Pile Driving and Mike V's Automotive, plus two boats, played major roles in the rescue. And later on, the BC Hydro crew jumped back into the fray.
The tiny deer was freezing cold after the rescue effort, but BC Hydro crew managed to keep her warm. They grabbed some old BC Hydro blankets from their truck, made their way to the shore and wrapped her with them to try to warm her up.
Watch a video of the 2018 rescue.
