Two sheep are on the road to recovery following a dramatic water rescue operation at a Forfar farm.
Wilma and Fred nearly drowned as large areas of Bogside Farm became submerged in water following heavy rain on Friday.
The pair were amongst a flock of sheep that came into difficulty as yellow and amber weather warnings were in place across Tayside and Fife.
As emergency services and volunteers helped hundreds of people across the region a rescue operation got underway to recover the stricken animals at around 2pm.
Sheep clung onto fencing before rescue
Police Scotland Mountain Rescue team leader for Tayside, Paul Morgan was one of those involved.
He had been alerted to the incident near the A90 by Forfar community officers and Angus Council’s Animal Welfare Officer, Coreen Hill.
Paul said it was initially unclear if the animals were still alive before local officers noticed their ears were still moving.
He said: “All the farmland around Bogside Farm had completely flooded.
“The flock of sheep were slap-bang in the middle of the field when it started to flood.
“Unfortunately some of the sheep sadly drowned.
“These two sheep had almost positioned themselves on top of the barbed wire fence.
“I know that might sound ridiculous but that was keeping them afloat.
“Due to the distance they were away (25 metres) we could only make out they were alive because their ears were moving.
“We had to move really quickly as there was a real fear of them drowning.”
A 35-minute rescue operation got underway which involved an inflatable raft whilst Paul swam across to the pair.
‘I couldn’t touch the bottom’
He added: “I’m 6ft 1in and there was large areas where I couldn’t touch the bottom so that showed you how deep it was.
“I was able to wade through some sections before swimming across.
“The way the sheep were positioned I couldn’t lift them across the fence.
“I cut a hole through the barbed wire to pull them through.
“One of sheep went into the boat whilst I swam the other one back.
“Their wool was so saturated it was like a brick.
“The community officers and the animal welfare officer were helpful in identifying the animals were still alive in the first place.”
‘Fantastic they were rescued’
Angus Council’s Animal Welfare Officer, Coreen Hill said both sheep were now well on the road to making a full recovery.
She said: “Although the sheep were on Bogside Farm they belonged to a shepherd further up the glen.
“As the weather took a turn for the worst he was concerned about the flock.
“The emergency services were tied up with other incidents further north before the search and rescue guys were able to assist.
“It was fantastic they were rescued and they’re recovering well.
“It was great that the multi-agencies came together to help.”
