A young calf in Co. Fermanagh has had a lucky escape after a dramatic "sling harness" rescue by specialist volunteers.

It is estimated that the calf had plunged around eight metres into the deep cave in an isolated location near Garrison in Co Fermanagh.

The farmer who owns the calf contacted the Irish Cave Rescue Organisation (ICRO), which is a national voluntary body and registered charity, once he realised the calf was in danger.

ICRO team members based in Co. Fermanagh located the cave and joined forces with colleagues from the North West Mountain Rescue Team to mount an operation to retreive the calf.

According to the ICRO three of its core team members rigged the cave for hauling "before descending a 7-8 metre pitch into the cave".

According to the ICRO "after skillfully corralling the calf and attaching a sling harness, the animal was carefully hauled to the surface".

It is understood the entire rescue operation was completed within two hours.

Rescue

The ICRO is made up of active cavers throughout Ireland and Northern Ireland.

It has a core group of 50 members and a larger general group of about 200 who are regularly called out to provide specialist assistance in relation to accidents in caves, potholes and abandoned mines.

"Whether people or animals, day or night, ICRO personnel are there to help," the national voluntary body and registered charity states.

Earlier this month it was also involved in the rescue of a retired sheepdog from a sea cave by Porturlin Harbour near Belmullet, Co Mayo.

The dog was put in an animal rescue harness and given food, then hauled up from the base of the cliff and returned to her family.

ICRO chair, Adam de Eyto said: “ICRO personnel are trained to carry out rescues of people or animals in caves and abandoned mines.

"When requested by An Garda Síochána or the Police Service of Northern Ireland, ICRO volunteers can respond anywhere in the country".