Aurora Firefighters, Animal Control Save Fawn From Drowning In Fox River

AURORA, IL — The Aurora Fire Department and Animal Care and Control Division teamed up Wednesday morning to save a fawn from drowning in the Fox River, city officials said.

The rescue operation began at about 9:30 a.m. after city staff saw a young fawn appear out of a drainage pipe in the Fox River, officials said. They called Aurora Animal Control and Control, who then phoned the Aurora Fire Department.

Truck 2 and Engine 77, along with veteran animal control officer Quentin Johnson, were dispatched to the scene and determined a rescue boat would be necessary to save the fawn, according to a news release.

Fire privates Riley Coomes and Jonas Cebulski joined Johnson on the boat to rescue the baby animal. After multiple failed attempts to save the fawn, Cebulski successfully used a net to capture the fawn and bring it onto the boat.

The rescue mission led to the fawn receiving a name, Jonas, in honor of the fire private who saved him.

The fire department brought the fawn to the Kane Area Rehabilitation and Education for Wildlife Center. The animal is recovering well and has joined KARE's general deer population, city officials said.

Watch video of the rescue: