PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. — When a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officer was on patrol Monday, probably the last thing he expected to see was a pair of deer swimming in the Gulf more than a half-mile from shore.
Maj. Bruce Cooper was flagged down at Panama City Beach by a kayaker who became concerned after she saw the deer run from the beach into the surf and swim away from shore, the FWC said on its Facebook page.
Cooper searched the area and spotted the heads of two deer swimming more than 1,000 yards from shore.
He approached the deer and saw that they appeared fatigued and disoriented from battling 2- to 4-foot waves, the Facebook post said.
Cooper was able to guide the deer back to shore and navigate them back to land.
When the doe and her fawn finally reached the beach, they ran from the shore and over the dunes into St. Andrews State Park, the FWC said.