Current Date: 16 Apr, 2026
{{entry.title}}

Estonians save a wolf from the ice by mistaking it for a dog

Two young construction workers in Estonia discovered what they thought was a dog caught in a frozen lake. They carried it to their car and brought him to an animal shelter, not realizing it was a wolf.

Unaware that they were going to load a wild wolf into their car, a group of kind-hearted Estonian workers hurried to save a puppy from a frigid river on Wednesday.

When the guys discovered the animal stuck in the chilly water, they were constructing the Sindi dam on the Parnu river.

They carried the frozen dog to a clinic for treatment after breaking through the ice.

It wasn’t until then that it became clear they were transporting a wolf.

Estonians save a wolf from the ice by mistaking it for a dog 1
The wolf was covered in ice when pulled from the near-frozen water. Photo Credit: Eupa

The wolf had low blood pressure when it arrived at the vet’s office, according to the Estonian Union for the Protection of Animals (EUPA), which could have contributed to its gentle behavior when the guys transported it to their car to warm it up.

One of the men, Rando Kartsepp, told the Estonian newspaper Postimees: “We had to carry him over the slope. He weighed a fair bit.”

He slept on my legs, seemed peaceful, and raised his head briefly when I wished to stretch them.

Veterinarians were unsure of the true nature of the huge dog, but a local hunter who was familiar with the wolves in the area was able to identify it as a young male wolf that was around a year old.

Estonians save a wolf from the ice by mistaking it for a dog 2
“He was calm, slept on my legs,” Mr Kartsepp said of the journey to the vet’s office. Photo Credit: Eupa

With this new knowledge, the clinic personnel made the decision to confine the wolf following treatment in case it lost its docility after healing.

The EUPA said that it had covered the cost of the animal’s care and that “fortunately, everything worked out well.”

The wolf survived its close encounter with death within a day and was later released back into the wild after being given a GPS collar by scientists from the national environmental agency.

The men who saved the wolf and the clinic’s medical staff, who did not hesitate to treat and care for the wild animal, are to be commended, according to EUPA, who also expressed their happiness with the ending of the story.

Hundreds of wolves live in Estonia, but only a small number of them have recently been collared. In general, they stay away from people.

It was chosen as Estonia’s national animal by a collection of environmental organizations last year.

Similar Stories
JBJ Soul Kitchen: Bon Jovi's community restaurant

JBJ Soul Kitchen: Bon Jovi's community restaurant

JBJ Soul Kitchen is a community restaurant by Jon Bon Jovi with no prices on the menu; customers donate to pay for their meals. If you are unable to donate you may do volunteer work in exchange for your family’s meal.

The WWII Parachute Wedding Dress

The WWII Parachute Wedding Dress

Major Claude Hensinger jumped out of a B-29 bomber during World War II when the engine caught fire. He was saved by his parachute. Later, he requested that his fiancée Ruth make him a gown out of the same parachute. The dress is now on display at the Smithsonian Institute.

A little girl survived a 1-hour submersion in freezing creek water

A little girl survived a 1-hour submersion in freezing creek water

On June 10, 1986, two-and-a-half-year-old Michelle Funk fell into an icy creek and was submerged for 66 minutes. When rescuers pulled her out of the water, she was not breathing, had no pulse, and appeared lifeless. The doctors used various techniques to rewarm her blood and bring her back to life. She was successfully resuscitated and went on to lead a healthy life.

Water park in japan, ocean dome: Largest indoor water park in the world

Water park in japan, ocean dome: Largest indoor water park in the world

The Seagaia Ocean Dome, located in Miyazaki, Japan, was the biggest indoor waterpark in the world. An "Ocean" six times the size of an Olympic pool, filled with 13,500 tons of unsalted, chlorinated water kept heated at 28 degrees Celsius and recognized as the largest simulated pool by the Guinness Book of World Records, measures 12,000 square meters of the sandy beach made from 600 tons of stone.

The Crystal Maiden of the Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave

The Crystal Maiden of the Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave

Located in Belize, there is a cave where the remnants of ancient Maya human sacrifices can be witnessed. However, reaching the back of the cave system requires swimming, wading through a cave river, and crawling through narrow, uneven rocky passages in darkness. Once there, visitors can walk among the numerous corpses of sacrifice victims, including The Crystal Maiden, an 18-year-old whose skeleton has become calcified to the point of sparkling.

Story of Forrest Fenn and who he hid a bronze chest treasure full of gold and other jewels

Story of Forrest Fenn and who he hid a bronze chest treasure full of gold and other jewels

Forrest Fenn, an art dealer, hid a bronze chest full of gold and other jewels somewhere in the Rocky Mountains ten years ago. In a poem, he hinted at its location. Thousands of people tried and failed to find the treasure, which is said to be worth over a million dollars, and at least four people died in the process. In June 2020, the Fenn treasure was discovered.

Toddler Calls 911 Accidentally and Saves Dad's Life

Toddler Calls 911 Accidentally and Saves Dad's Life

A father from Florida collapsed on the floor during a medical episode. Fortunately, his toddler son dialed 911 by accident and saved his life. An officer from the Hernando County Sheriff's Office arrived quickly and administered first aid before transporting him to a nearby hospital.

Why Is the N Lowercase in 7-Eleven?

Why Is the N Lowercase in 7-Eleven?

7-ELEVEN is thought to have a lowercase "n" in its logo because the company president's wife believed that a logo with all caps would seem harsh, while a lowercase "n" would make it more graceful.

The world’s longest flight spent more than two months in the air

The world’s longest flight spent more than two months in the air

Roberts Timm and Jim Cook, two pilots, flew an aircraft for more than two months without landing in 1958. Matching the speed of a truck moving down the road to refuel. A mattress for sleeping, a small steel sink for personal hygiene, the removal of most interior fittings to reduce weight, and a basic autopilot were among the improvements.