Imagine this: You’re out on the deep, cold sea, where surprises are few and far between.
You think you’ve seen it all—until you haven’t.
You’re just minding your business, going about your sailor’s day, when suddenly a chance to make a real difference comes along.
It’s not just an opportunity to be kind; it’s an opportunity to save a life.
That’s exactly what happened to three sailors who found something—or rather, someone—completely unexpected on a drifting iceberg.
Mallory Harrigan, Cliff Russell, and Allan Russell were no strangers to the sea.
They were just a few miles away from Labrador, Canada, aboard their crab-fishing boat when they spotted a small creature stranded on a distant iceberg.
At first glance, they thought it was a baby seal, looking starving and helpless.
But as they got closer, the truth revealed itself.
It wasn’t a seal.
It was an Arctic fox—a species not known for its swimming abilities.
This little guy was wet, panicked, and under siege from seagulls.
It was obvious he had been stuck out there for a while.
So, what did our intrepid trio do?
They acted—fast.
Mallory Harrigan later told Bored Panda: “It had probably got stuck out there looking for a meal. Cliff says he thinks he got out there to check out a bit of meat on the ice, and it broke apart, sending the cute fox out to sea.”
Time was of the essence; they knew they had to act before the situation worsened.
Determined to help, they pulled the iceberg close to their boat and tried to coax the nervous fox on board.
This wasn’t as easy as it sounds.
The fox had likely never encountered humans before and was understandably hesitant.
“He was trying to run away from us at first, so we had a tough time getting him aboard,” Mallory explained.
“We had to break the ice he was on and get him with the dip net. He fought and fought to get away until he literally couldn’t move anymore.”
Finally, their persistence paid off.
Once the fox was safely on board, the sailors made a cozy bed for their furry guest, making sure he felt warm and snug.
They offered him food and water, nurturing him back to health.
Although wary at first, the fox slowly started to trust his rescuers.
Mallory recounts, “We scooped him up, and he retreated to the corner. He was too weak to do anything when we brought him aboard; he slept most of the way! When we came to, he was a bit nervous, but once we fed him, he was pretty calm. He wouldn’t eat at all for the first 5 or 6 hours. We gave him chips and crackers, but he didn’t want anything until he woke up, and we fed him a tin of Vienna sausages.”
With his strength restored and his trust gained, they finally returned the lucky fox to dry land, where he scampered away, undoubtedly relieved.
He might not have the words to express his gratitude, but his joyful frolic said it all.
Today, Mallory still spots her little friend exploring old dog houses in William’s Harbor.
It’s a heartwarming ending to an unforgettable tale of rescue, kindness, and the unexpected moments that make life extraordinary.
Curious to see the fox and his incredible journey?
Check out the video below!
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