Storks rescued from a French dairy tank and Belgian quicksand

In Bulgnéville, France, a dozen Vittel firefighters rescued a stork that had become trapped in a wastewater tank at the L'Ermitage cheese factory. The crew rappelled eight metres into the eight‑metre‑deep tank, cleaned and warmed the bird with the help of a firefighter‑veterinarian, and then transferred it to a veterinary clinic in Nancy before moving it on to a rehabilitation centre in Alsace.

In Mont‑Saint‑Guibert, Belgium, a stork stuck in a quicksand area was saved by the Animal Disaster Team working with local firefighters. Using a rope‑and‑pulley system, rescuers guided an inflatable boat to the bird, retrieved it without sinking, and took it to the CREAVES centre in Perwez for cleaning and medical care. Both operations illustrate specialized animal‑rescue techniques applied to unusual emergencies.