A Cow Surprised Tourists in the Pyrenees

A cow named Vahine was rescued by helicopter in the French Pyrenees after becoming unable to reach safety by land. The operation was carried out to move the animal to a location where it could receive the necessary care.

To limit risks during the flight, Vahine was anaesthetised before being transported. The company involved in the operation said that it proceeded without problems and that the cow arrived safely at its destination. The animal’s owner paid for the flight.

Helicopters have also been used to remove injured or trapped animals in mountainous parts of France. Difficult access by road or other land routes can leave air transport among the available options. Such rescues require specialised operations and can involve high costs.

Vahine’s case was not the only bovine rescue recorded in France in 2026. In April, about 15 firefighters took part in recovering a cow that had fallen into a ravine in the Pyrénées-Orientales. The animal became trapped between rocks and gave birth while waiting for assistance. Both the cow and its calf survived the operation.

On September 14, three days after Vahine’s rescue, specialised teams were called to Matafelon-Granges in the Ain department. They were tasked with removing another cow that had become trapped in a manure storage area. The animal was partly buried and required equipment to be extracted.

The reports describe the use of helicopters and specialised rescue teams in separate cases involving cattle in difficult or hazardous locations. In Vahine’s case, the flight was conducted under anaesthesia, was reported to have concluded without incident, and was paid for by the farmer.