A deer found itself in an unusual predicament in Laitila, Southwest Finland, when it fell into an empty swimming pool inside a private home's enclosed terrace. Rescue services received an emergency call from the homeowners about the trapped animal.
Fire and rescue master Tarmo Katajamaa described the scene. The swimming pool was located on a covered terrace surrounded by walls and doors. The deer had somehow managed to get inside the enclosed space. Officials suspect either a door was left slightly open or the animal managed to open a sliding door itself.
Once inside the terrace, the deer slipped into the drained swimming pool. The rescue operation took approximately fifteen minutes. Crews used a creative solution to lift the animal to safety. They employed a fire hose placed under the deer's belly, a technique sometimes used for rescuing horses as well.
Katajamaa noted the deer appeared to be in good health throughout the incident. He suggested the animal likely slipped into the pool rather than jumped. The plastic pool liner might have felt somewhat soft underfoot, contributing to the mishap. The deer remained calm during the rescue and was quickly released back into nearby forest areas after being freed.
This incident highlights the increasing encounters between wildlife and residential areas in Finland. As urban development expands into traditional forest habitats, animals like deer frequently venture closer to human settlements. Finland's extensive forest coverage means such interactions are becoming more common, particularly in regions like Varsinais-Suomi where woodland and residential zones intermingle.
Local wildlife experts note that deer are naturally curious animals and will explore unfamiliar structures. Swimming pools and enclosed yards can become traps for wildlife unaware of human constructions. Finnish rescue services regularly respond to similar calls involving various animals in unusual situations, though deer in swimming pools remains relatively rare.
Homeowners in rural and semi-rural Finnish areas are advised to secure outdoor areas that might attract or trap wildlife. Simple precautions like ensuring gates and doors close properly can prevent such incidents. The successful rescue operation demonstrates the adaptability of Finnish emergency services in handling unconventional animal rescue situations.
The deer's quick release back into its natural habitat follows standard Finnish procedures for wildlife rescues. The animal showed no signs of injury and returned to the forest without requiring further intervention. This positive outcome reflects both the effectiveness of the rescue response and the resilience of Finland's wildlife population.