Heroic Paddle Boarder Rescues Stranded Squirrel From Drowning In Canadian River

A Canadian river boarder recently rescued a stranded squirrel, saving the frightened animal from certain drowning as it cowered on a rock, trapped in the midst of a fast-flowing river.

Thomas Paterson, 22, was traveling downstream near Ottawa when he noticed the squirrel, according to The Daily Mail. Realizing that it was trapped, Paterson swam toward the squirrel, attempting to entice the animal to his board so that he could transport it to safety.

Before Paterson could aid the squirrel, however, it attempted to flee from him, jumping to another rock and getting caught in the current. The squirrel was quickly washed downstream, trapped in a small hole under water. Luckily, Paterson was on hand to transport the frightened squirrel to safety.

“I wanted him to make a break for it so I could just grab him from the water,” he said. “Eventually he tried jumping up stream, but got worked into a little hole. Thankfully I managed to pick him out of the water and place him on my board before I swam him to shore.”

Once the squirrel was safely on his board, Paterson observed it recognized his intention. As the Express notes, video of the squirrel rescue was captured by a GoPro strapped to Paterson’s head.

Riverboarder rescues squirrel from river, films it on a @GoPro http://t.co/2idOGzWs2W pic.twitter.com/iH0SE0pg64

— GrindTV (@GrindTV) November 3, 2014

Earlier this year, an elk was photographed in Idaho’s Pocatello Zoo, observing and then testing the water inside a large barrel before removing a marmot. A type of large squirrel, the animal had become trapped in the bucket and was likely to drown if not for the oddly heroic actions of the elk, as the Inquisitr noted.

According to Paterson, the squirrel is just the latest in a long line of animals he has encountered while riding the river.

“I realize it’s their home I am swimming through and enjoy giving them the respect they deserve,” he observed. “Some animals allow me to get close to them and chill but others want nothing to do with me. Ever since I was young I would often cross paths with snakes, turtles, skinks, rodents, and countless other animals.”

[Images: Thomas Paterson via the Daily Mail]