First Air-born Calf

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31097, 28 June 1966, Page 18

First Air-born Calf

fN.Z. Prezz Association) PALMERSTON NORTH, June 27. A dairy cow today achieved the distinction of calving in mid-air. Two cows trapped in a deep ravine in the Tarania foothills near Linton were rescued by a helicopter today. The cows had apparently taken shelter under the lip of the bush-clad ravine to avoid violent hailstorms at the weekend. Too many crowded into the one area and pushed three over the steep side.

One cow managed to walk out but the other two were marooned in the stream-bed at the bottom of the gully. The owner, Mr G. Miers, of Rata, tried to haul one out with a block-and-tackle but the cow slipped out of the tackle, fell further down the gully and injured itself. So Mr Miers engaged a helicopter.

A veterinarian, Mr P. Jacques, gave the animals an Injection of sedative and they were then hauled out in a net suspended from the helicopter.

The pilot said raising the animals from the gully presented no great danger. But as soon as the helicopter began moving they swung like pendulums threatening to tip the helicopter on its back.

The complications Increased when the injured cow started to calve.

The operation, believed to be the first such rescue in New Zealand, took about an hour.

The cow and her calf tonight were reported to be doing well