To pastures flew! Bizarre moment injured cows are AIRLIFTED by helicopter to new meadow in the Swiss Alps
Injured cows in Switzerland have been airlifted to the bottom of their Alpine meadows in a bizarre spectacle.
Around a dozen animals were lifted by helicopter from the meadow to the Klausenpass mountain pass, which is around 6,400ft (1,950m) above sea level, on Friday.
The injured cows were suspended by a length of cable using a mesh harness and they were photographed dangling from a chopper as they took to the skies.
Injured cows in Switzerland have been airlifted to the bottom of their Alpine meadows in a bizarre spectacle
Around a dozen animals were lifted by helicopter to the Klausenpass mountain pass, still around 6,400ft (1,950m) above sea level, on Friday
The injured cows were suspended by a length of cable using a mesh harness and they were photographed dangling from a chopper as they took to the skies
Farmers used guide ropes to help bring the cows to land safely, before moving them into trailers - a form of transport the beasts are more familiar with.
The healthy and fit livestock from the 1,000-strong herd walked down the mountainside themselves.
Farmer Jonas Arnold explained that reasons for transporting the cows by helicopter include some pastures being difficult to reach by car, and cows being unable to walk while injured.
Farmers used guide ropes to help bring the cows to land safely, before moving them into trailers. Pictured: A cow is transported by a helicopter
Farmer Jonas Arnold explained reasons for transporting the cows by chopper include some pastures being difficult to reach by car, and cows being unable to walk while injured
A cow is transported by a helicopter from after its summer sojourn in the high Swiss Alpine meadows near the Klausenpass, Switzerland
The herd were airlifted to head towards the Urnerboden area in the central canton of Uri ready for an annual cow parade
The cows (pictured landing) had been spending their summer sojourn in the Swiss Alpine meadows, but are now being moved on from their mountainside location
He told Sky News: 'I didn't ask a cow how it feels after such a flight as it couldn't answer, but it's only a short distance and it has to keep going.
'It was only a short calm flight. I didn't notice any difference between the ones that flew and the ones that walked normally.'
The cows had been spending their summer sojourn in the Swiss Alpine meadows, but are now being moved on from their mountainside location.
The herd are heading towards the Urnerboden area in the central canton of Uri in preparation for an annual cow parade.