Alpine troops rescue sheep

Soldiers used their snow shoes to flatten down escape route for flock trapped as early snow blocks Alpine pasture

Published Modified

ALPINE troops have managed to rescue 450 sheep trapped by early snows in high mountain pastures in the Alps.

Fifteen Chasseurs Alpins climbed through very difficult terrain to the 2,400m meadows under the Gleysin glacier, in Isère where the sheep were blocked in by 80cm of snow.

With their tiny feet and full weight after a summer feeding, the sheep could not get through the snow barrier and the mayor of the local commune of Pinsot asked the prefecture for help to free them. The chasseurs were used for their special skills in the high mountains.

The troops, from the 13th Battalion Chasseurs Alpins in Chambéry, used their raquettes ski shoes to flatten down a path for the sheep to head downhill to snow-free pastures. They cleared the way for them to descend 400m to the safety of the Cabane de l’Oule.

Chasseurs Alpins communications officer Lt Virginie Reynaud said that it was "not the troops' normal role to go to help sheep, especially as the ground was so dangerous, but we were happy to help".

Photo: Lt Virginie Reynaud 13th BCA

archive

archive