Bull Fridolin
slipped into the slurry pit
From the perspective of Gut Aiderbichl
(written by Gisela Pschenitschnig)
Fridolin, a young bull about 12 months old, fell unobserved into a manure chute. The wooden cover must have shifted so that Fridolin fell into the shaft and stood up to his neck in the slurry.
The incident took place at a small sanctuary where people look after animals from emergency situations, war zones and crisis areas. The aim of this farm is to facilitate understanding between people and animals in a protected environment.
"Something's not right today ..."
The farmer sensed that something was different. He heard a calf crying, which was not unusual. However, the cry was not coming from the barn or the pasture, but from below. He couldn't believe his eyes when he discovered Fridolin mooing for help in the manure stall.
Liquid manure develops hazardous gases. Hydrogen sulphide gas is produced. This gas, in turn, is a nerve gas and can paralyze breathing and cause the heart to fail. The farmer immediately called the professional fire department, which arrived at lightning speed. Wearing heavy breathing apparatus, the men climbed into the shaft to rescue Fridolin, who weighed 300 kg, from his appalling situation as quickly as possible. The slurry was sucked out and fans were used to remove the toxic gases from the shaft.
Fridolin was given a light anaesthetic so that he would not be injured during the rescue. A telescopic handler was used to remove the injured bull from the pit.
Cleaned up and ready to go, Fridolin was soon hopping around the yard again
After being rescued by the fire department, Fridolin was rinsed with plenty of warm water and then rubbed dry with straw. After all the efforts of the dangerous excursion into the manure shaft, Fridolin put up with everything with good grace.
"I actually just wanted to take a walk around the yard and see what was going on. Suddenly I found myself in some foul-smelling broth. I don't know how I managed to slip through the opening. My stomach isn't that small after all. But well, there I was, not knowing how to get out of this hole.
To be on the safe side, I started shouting as loud as I could. At some point the farmer came. His breath stopped for a moment when he saw me. Maybe it was because it stank so bad? Well, now I'm rescued, washed and dried and I smell like clean fur again. All is well! By the way, I've also got a new forever home. It's really great here...".
Fridolin was given away with a heavy heart
With a heavy heart, a new place was sought for Fridolin for life, as the small farm was expecting a new, rescued bull.
Fridolin was welcomed comfortably and lovingly into the herd of cattle at Gut Aiderbichl Iffeldorf. He loves the pastures and the stable, so to speak: all's well that ends well!
If you think you're too small to make a difference, try sleeping when there's a mosquito in the room.
- Dalai Lama
No effort is too great to help an animal. No effort was spared to help Fridolin out of his stinking pit. And that's a good thing, because: Animals are our fellow creatures and are worth at least as much as human life. Yours sincerely, Gisela
Pictures of the rescue © Hunding fire department
