The warm weather of the last few days has meant that the ice has quickly become worse and more treacherous.
In Čohkkeras (Jukkasjärvi) was Marit Sikku Trägårdh and bird watching on Wednesday - when she saw the reindeer fighting out in the ice mud about a hundred meters out in the Torne River.
- At first I did not see what it was.
But then saw that it was a reindeer.
Sometimes I only saw the horns and the back.
I called 112 directly, says Marit Sikku Trägårdh.
She continues:
- I do not know how long it had fought there.
It was a man from Jukkasjärvi who tried to get out by boat, but it did not work because of the ice.
Marit Sikku Trägårdh was in Čohkkeras / Jukkasjärvi and was watching birds when she discovered the reindeer about a hundred meters out in the Torne River.
"I thought it would not be possible to save it" Photo: Marit Sikku Trägårdh / private
Went out to the reindeer with a raft
The rescue service was quickly on site.
With the help of a raft, two rescuers went out to the reindeer.
- When the rescue service arrived at the reindeer, and it did not get scared and panicked, it felt great!
One of the rescuers swam ashore next to the reindeer.
It was a wonderful feeling when it was saved, says Marit Sikku Trägårdh.
Happy ending
The reindeer, which was a vaja, was chilled and difficult to carry, but scratched itself quickly after it got some rest under a warm blanket, while giving a massage.
Reindeer herders were on site and the reindeer are now taken to the forest.