A dramatic rescue unfolded this Sunday in the town of Pinoso where a mare slipped into a ditch and could not climb out. Firefighters arrived by air after receiving the alert at 15:47, responding to the emergency reported in the Cabezo de la Sal Mountain area within the Encebras region of Pinoso, as noted by the Provincial Firefighters Consortium. The incident required swift coordination between ground teams and aerial specialists to ensure the mare’s safety and to prevent further distress as the daylight faded.
Upon arrival, crews faced a deep, irregular trench that the mare could not escape on its own. The team initially attempted to lure the animal toward safer ground using walkways and manual stabilization to reduce the risk of panicking and injuring itself. The mare struggled with fear and fatigue, making the rescue effort more complex. The situation demanded a controlled and careful approach to minimize stress on the animal while establishing a secure path for extraction. In this moment, responders turned to a rapid air-assisted recovery method to elevate and remove the mare from the ditch, a technique thative been employed in similar wildlife and equine rescue operations where ground access is insufficient.
To execute the rescue, the operation integrated assets from the Alpha 1 rescue helicopter, the Special Rescue Group, and a command unit, along with urban ground support, a sergeant, a corporal, and a team of four firefighters from Elda Mas Park who supported the mission. The coordinated effort allowed rescuers to stabilize the mare from above and provide a controlled lift that prevented further injuries. After the successful aerial extraction, the mare was carefully brought to safety near the intervention site and assessed for injuries. The recovery and transfer process was completed with the animal arriving at a nearby facility within the same evening, ensuring it could receive veterinary attention and monitoring as needed. The whole operation concluded around 19:18, marking a careful and thorough resolution to a tense incident, according to the Provincial Firefighters Consortium’s account.
The incident in Pinoso highlights how modern rescue teams combine field experience with aerial capabilities to respond to animal welfare emergencies. The collaboration between air units, ground crews, and command staff demonstrates the importance of a well-coordinated plan, clear communication, and rapid decision-making under pressure. Firefighters and wildlife rescue specialists continuously train for scenarios where animals are trapped in awkward terrain, with safety protocols designed to protect both the responders and the creature in distress. This event serves as a reminder that when an animal is in danger away from easy access points, aerial operations can be a vital component of a safe and humane rescue, enabling swift extraction without compromising the animal’s well-being. Through these efforts, the mare was returned to the care of veterinary professionals and monitored to ensure a stable recovery, following the guidance issued by the consortium and local authorities. The successful outcome underscores the critical role of teamwork, planning, and the judicious use of aircraft in contemporary animal rescue missions. Cited accounts come from the Provincial Firefighters Consortium, which tracks and reports on such rescue operations to inform best practices and public awareness of animal welfare initiatives in the region.