While canoeing down Alberta’s Kananaskis River, two University of Calgary environmental science students, Anna Gleig and Ava Haddad, encountered a foal trapped in deep water against a bridge support, with its mother nearby. Gleig, a former lifeguard, and Haddad worked together to rescue the exhausted foal, eventually placing it in their boat after the mother horse fled. Despite initial challenges, the foal remained calm and rested during the rescue.

After paddling to find help, the women contacted a First Nations community member who recognized the foal and reunited it with its mother. Gleig and Haddad expressed pride in saving the foal’s life, believing it would have drowned without their intervention. The story highlights an inspiring act of compassion and quick thinking during a peaceful river outing.