Marion County firefighters came to the rescue of a newborn calf over the weekend after it became trapped in a swamp.
On Sunday, March 3, a man and his son approached Marion County Fire Rescue Station 6 with an “urgent plea for help.” They advised that the helpless newborn calf was stuck in the swamp, and its mother had sadly passed away during birth, according to MCFR.
After venturing into the swamp without hesitation, MCFR crews successfully rescued the calf and brought it back to the warmth of Station 6.
MCFR stated on social media that in an “incredible turn of events,” the St. John’s River Management District connected MCFR Captain Justin McKinney with the farmer who owned the calf. A silver lining was then found in this bittersweet rescue when the farmer generously donated the calf to McKinney.
The crew members at MCFR Station 6 fondly called the newborn calf Maybelle, and they took turns bottle-feeding her throughout the night.
In a social media post, MCFR stated that “Maybelle has now moved to her forever home with the McKinney family, where she will be cherished and adored.”
MCFR added that this story is about more than just a rescue. “It’s about community, kindness, and the incredible bond between firefighters and the lives they touch, both human and animal.”