Two friends setting out for a morning mountain hike in the Middle East had no idea they were about to save two lives.
It all began with a chance discovery made while passing by a disused reservoir pool nestled deep within the rugged landscape.
“We were on our way up the mountain early in the morning when we suddenly noticed something unusual inside the reservoir,” hiker Saeed Saedi told The Dodo.
Moving in for a closer look, the hikers realized there were two animals inside.
“[We] realized they had fallen in and were completely trapped,” Saedi said. “Then they stood up, and that’s when we understood for sure that they were badgers.”
Sensing the hikers’ approach, the badgers attempted to run away, but to no avail. The reservoir’s steep walls made it impossible for them to escape.
“It really felt like they had been stuck there for quite a while, and we knew we had to help — there was no question about it,” Saedi said.
Not wanting to stress the badgers more, Saedi and his friend didn’t attempt to grab them. Instead, they decided to get creative.
“We started gathering rocks and stacking them to create a platform they could climb,” Saedi said.
And sure enough, their plan worked:
“[They] managed to escape,” Saedi said. “Seeing them finally climb out and run off — looking healthy and full of energy — was an amazing feeling.”
With that simple act of kindness, Saedi and his friend had saved two lives.
“It definitely brightened our day, and we continued our hike to the summit with a really good feeling and a great memory,” Saedi said. “I’d absolutely encourage anyone to help an animal in need if they ever come across a situation like this. A small action can make a huge difference.”
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