Bighorn Sheep Rescued from Icy Gunnison River

On January 28, 2026, Colorado Parks and Wildlife officers rescued a bighorn sheep that had become trapped in the icy waters of the Gunnison River near Gunnison, Colorado. Colorado Parks and Wildlife spokesperson John Livingston explained that the animal was found in a flooded portion of the river, where temperatures had dropped below freezing, threatening its survival. Officers used ropes and a staged rescue, carefully lowering the sheep to safety over a span of about 12 minutes. The rescue was captured by The National’s camera crew and lasted 1 minute 37 seconds, as the video shows the dramatic slide and subsequent liftoff. The event highlighted the agency’s commitment to wildlife protection in extreme winter conditions.