Rescuers save bull after it falls off cliff in Waterford

Tramore RNLI teamed up with Tramore Coast Guard and Waterford Animal Welfare to bring a stranded bull to safety after he had fallen from a cliff and taken refuge on a rocky ledge.

Gardaí contacted Tramore RNLI at 5pm on Sunday evening to inform them that a bull had fallen from a cliff near well known local landmark, the metal man, and had managed to swim to a rocky ledge near Newton cove, a few hundred metres away.

The RNLI and Coast Guard crews tried to approach the bull but the fading light and rising tide meant it was deemed too difficult to carry out a rescue at that time.

It was decided to resume the operation the following morning, when a rope was secured to the animal by a member of the Coast Guard team and passed to the lifeboat.

The oars of the lifeboat were used to gently usher the bull down off his rocky ledge and into the water.

He started swimming alongside the lifeboat before being guided by the crew and Andrew Quinn from Waterford Animal Welfare into a nearby cove to be met by his owner.

Tramore RNLI crew member Dave O’Hanlon said: "We have a bit of a history here in Tramore RNLI with animals. Over the last few years we have gone out to a calf, a whale, a dolphin and a group of puppies.

We are pleased that the animal was not too distressed by the ordeal and that working with our colleagues in the other services we were able to render assistance and bring about a happy outcome.

"Our thoughts were to try help the poor animal but also to prevent anyone trying to carry out a rescue themselves without the correct advice or equipment. Bulls are very strong and could easily cause an injury.

"I was also surprised to learn they are good swimmers too."