Every once in a while, licensed rescuers stumble upon unexpected surprises hidden in the most unusual places. This time, it was Karenlynn Stracher, a long-time rescuer at Long Island Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation, New York. While trying to change a water meter in a well in Levittown, a group of local workers noticed strange movement at the very bottom. Stunned by what they saw, they assumed it was a helpless furry friend trapped below and quickly contacted Stracher for assistance!
What Is It
Peering into the well, Stracher couldn’t immediately identify the animal below. Initially, there was just a dark hole with nothing unusual visible, until suddenly, movement occurred. As she recorded her observations, she zoomed in and saw a helpless furry creature at the bottom—a cottontail rabbit.
The rabbit appeared scared and traumatized, barely breathing, trying to hide from the human above. Stracher, however, was eager to help without causing further trauma, given the rabbit’s notoriously fearful nature, which could lead to severe consequences. She carefully took a catch pole and lowered it into the well to capture the rabbit.
After several failed attempts, Stracher came up with a new plan. Instead of relying solely on the catch pole, she took a net in her other hand and used it to lure the rabbit in. During this attempt, the rabbit froze, allowing for a successful capture with the pole. Stracher carefully pulled him back up into the light, and the moment his tiny paws touched the grass, the rabbit bolted into the field.
The group expressed relief as they watched the animal hop away. Surprisingly, this was Stracher’s first rescue in such a situation, given that meter wells are usually covered and animals are rarely found in them. Fortunately, the rabbit emerged completely unharmed despite falling deep into the well. Stracher and her fellow rescuers remain committed to their compassionate work, assisting many other animals in distress.
