You've got to be kidding - London fire crews called out on goat rescue

Gandalf the goat
Author: Louise EastonPublished 6th Jan 2023

London fire crews have saved a goat who became stuck on a cliff edge in south London.

Firefighters have no idea how long Gandalf had been stuck on the sheer drop in Kenley in Croydon, but managed to use a drone to distract him, before attaching a line and pulling him to safety.

Sub Officer Darren Joy, who was at the scene, said:

“The goat had been spotted the day before but we don’t know how long it had been stuck there for. There was no clear way back up for him and it was steep.

“Firefighters worked quickly to assess the situation and our drone team also attended. The drone actually helped distract Gandalf and allowed crews to put a line over the goat and pull him up to safety. Thankfully, he was very well-behaved and came away unhurt.

“Firefighters love animals and we are ready, willing and able to assist distressed or injured animals – the last thing we want is for people to put themselves at risk rescuing an animal themselves – but we do encourage people to call the RSPCA in the first instance and we will assist if our specialist equipment is required, as in this case.”

The usually sure-footed goat, named Gandalf by park rangers, found itself in trouble after becoming separated from the rest of its herd and unable to climb to safety after getting stranded around 35-metres high on a cliff edge on Godstone Road.

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