A Florida Fish and Wildlife officer was called into an unusual situation after two deer ended up 1,000 feet offshore at a beach in Florida on Sunday.

Major Bruce Cooper was patrolling Panama City Beach when a kayaker flagged him down, alerting the officer that she had spotted a pair of deer run directly into the water, swimming away from the shore.

deer-swimming-back-to-shore-panama-city-beach
FWC photo by Bekah Nelson

After quickly surveying the sea, Cooper spotted two heads in the water, noting they looked just like two birds sitting on the surface, and immediately moved in.  As he approached the two deer it was apparent they were extremely fatigued and disoriented from battling the rough seas.

He was able to safely guide them back toward the shore and eventually the doe and her yearling ran into St. Andrews State Park to safety.

deer-pounce-along-the-beach-into-st-andrew-state-park
FWC photo by Bekah Nelson

When duty calls…

Daring deer rescued A kayaker flagged down Major Bruce Cooper while he was on patrol. She was concerned since she...

Posted by MyFWC on Monday, March 21, 2016

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