Police, herders rescue 400 sheep trapped in mud in Xinjiang

(ECNS) -- Police officers and local herders teamed up to rescue more than 400 sheep trapped in mud near the Manas River in Shawan County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, local authorities said.

The Sidaohezi Town Police Station under the Shawan Public Security Bureau recently received an urgent call for help from a local herder, who reported that his flock had become stuck in a muddy area along the river while drinking water near Shabei District. Startled, the sheep had rushed into the shallow waters and become mired in the mud, unable to get out.

Police officers quickly arrived at the scene with rescue ropes and other equipment. After assessing the terrain, they waded into the icy, calf-deep water to help free the animals.

Local herders also rushed to assist after learning of the incident, bringing the rescue team to more than 20 people.

Working side by side, the officers and herders made their way through the muddy water, pulling the trapped sheep out one by one.

After more than two hours of rescue efforts, all the sheep had been safely brought back to shore.

(By Zhang Dongfang)