Jersey Shore Lifeguards Jump In To Save A Drowning Deer [Photos]

Here's something that you most definitely don't see every day - lifeguards jumping in for an ocean rescue... of a deer.

But, that's exactly what happened on Thursday morning in Long Branch when somebody spotted the animal in the waters off of Ocean Avenue and the rescue effort began.

According to the Long Branch Police Department, rescuers mobilized on jet skis and paddle boards to bring the animal safely to the shore at Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park.

The official Facebook page of the Long Branch Police Department shared photos of the incident on Thursday afternoon, including when the deer was first spotted in the water:

And lifeguards heading out to the animal on paddle boards:

All together, the rescue operation included personnel from the Long Branch Police Department, Animal Control, and lifeguards, with the LBPD press release naming the rescuers who jumped in to save the animal:

Class 1 Officers Devon Slavin and Charles Barreda, Animal Control Supervisor, Deb Nagel, Beach Supervisor, Stan Dzuiba, LB Beach Rescue members Brian Gleason and Sam MacPherson on jet-skis and 7 Presidents' Lifeguards Chester English and Kate Crilly

The Facebook post goes on to say that the deer was indeed rescued and was unharmed.

It does make an impression on me that this is the second day in a row that I've come across stories of animals in the Jersey Shore waters.

Thankfully, though, the deer is totally harmless when compared to the aquatic super-predator that we talked about yesterday, a huge great white shark innocuously named "Caroline".

I'll take the deer any day in comparison!