Rescued in a piggyback

Mountain rescuer rescues sheep in distress from via ferrata

The Ehrwald mountain rescuer and mountain guide with the lamb, which he carried on his shoulders 750 meters down to the valley unharmed.(Bild: zVg)

Tourists usually overestimate their abilities when they are out and about in the mountains. In this case, however, a Tyrolean mountain lamb had misjudged its own abilities. It's hard to believe: the cute animal got stuck on a via ferrata in the Mieminger mountains.

The lamb obviously wanted to climb high on the snow-covered Tajakopf (2450 meters) at the end of the alpine season, which it spent with conspecifics around the Coburger Hütte above Ehrwald (Reutte district). As the height of hubris, the high-spirited animal was on the via ferrata (!) there.

The young sheep was not unhappy about the mountain rescuer's help despite its predicament. Riccardo Mizio carried the animal down this steep slope into the valley.(Bild: zVg)

However, because it could no longer get back and forth below the summit, it missed the cattle drive. The lamb was discovered a few days later using a drone and the shepherd contacted Ehrwald Mountain Rescue. They immediately agreed to help rescue the animal.

I took it on my shoulders and descended 750 meters in altitude with the lamb via a gully.

Riccardo Mizio, Berg- und Tierretter, Ehrwald

The lamb was already extremely exhausted
Mountain rescuer Riccardo Mizio therefore recently set off on an extraordinary rescue mission. He climbed up the via ferrata to the young sheep, which was so exhausted that it could be caught without resistance.

Owner announces donation
 "I took it on my shoulders and descended 750 meters in altitude with the lamb via a gully," says the mountain guide. At Seebensee, it was handed over to the owner safe and sound. She has announced a donation to the mountain rescue service.