Campo Seco, CA…Firefighters from CALAVERAS CONSOLIDATED, CALFIRE, SAN ANDREAS FIRE, a backhoe loader from EBMUD, along with a former firefighter/rancher, Joe Butler, who specialized in large animal rescue, were successful in rescuing/removing a calf (yearling) from an abandoned mine shaft. The animal had fallen into the shaft/pit and was found by the owner.

Firefighters located the calf 30 feet down the mine shaft. Momma cow was at the location and clearly concerned about her baby (Mooing!).

Due to the time of day (late afternoon/night) and the determination that the calf was not injured, firefighters lowered food and water down the shaft and would return in the morning to extricate the animal.
Today, crews set up a harness and rigging system to lift the calf out of the shaft.

Mama cow and calf were reunited!