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Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Baby horse gets 'second chance at life' after being rescued by paddlers in Kananaskis River
A foal that found itself stuck in the Kananaskis River would have been in big trouble, had paddlers Anna Gleig and Ava Haddad not come by. The two were making their way down the Kananaksis River on July 12 when they came across a group of horses along the bank. Haddad told CBC News one horse walking along the shoreline suddenly entered the river in front of their boat. "We were kind of freaking out there, because there's a massive horse that's just in the water stopping us from continuing on," said Haddad, who lives in the Calgary area. "And then we look to our right and there's this baby horse … pinned against the concrete part of the bridge, that is unable to move or get out." Gleig, a Canmore resident, said the mother horse was "quite panicked" as the depth of the water prevented her from reaching her foal. Gleig and Haddad, both students of the University of Calgary's environmental science program, knew they couldn't leave the young animal there. "We went forward and decided we need to save this foal," Haddad said. WATCH | Foal freed from flowing river: They dragged the boat up to the shore before venturing back into the water, scaring off the adult horses in the process. Rescuing the foal was a team effort, with Gleig grabbing it while Haddad paddled. "Somehow we were able to drag him across the the river stream, back to the the safer bank," said Gleig. "He's maybe like 80, 90 pounds, less than a week old," she said. "So still a big animal, but very small for a horse." Luckily for the foal, there was a former lifeguard onboard. "I've been a lifeguard, and I spent a lot of time in the river, so it was kind of using that sort of training," Gleig said. Haddad said the rescue was a success, with the foal co-operating fully. "He didn't fight back against us," she said. "He just let us take him, so that worked out really well." Now that it was rescued, a new problem arose: the adult horses, including the foal's mother, had been scared off during the rescue effort. "We were stuck with him, without his mom or anything," Gleig said. "We tried to leave him in the sun, hoping that the mom would come back if we weren't there, but we ended up waiting on that shoreside for about an hour and a half, and they never ended up coming back." Every time they tried to paddle away without the foal in the hopes its mother would return, "he would hop straight back into the water, which was not ideal," said Gleig. "I think he just didn't want to be left alone, which was really sweet, but made it a little bit more complicated for us." Determined to keep the foal safe, the pair took matters into their own hands. "I ended up putting my life-jacket on him and picking him up and putting him in the boat with us," said Gleig. "And miraculously, somehow he was calm enough, and was OK with being in the boat. The pair paddled downstream with the foal for about 20 minutes. "He took a little nap there because he was just so tired," Gleig said. 'It was a good ending' As the two tried to figure out what to do, Gleig was able to get a hold of somebody from the nearby Mînî Thnî community. The man who arrived to the scene recognized the horses solely from photos he was shown. "The guy knew exactly what herd [the foal] was from because we showed him photos … he came, picked [the foal] up, put him in the back of his pickup truck and drove him back," Gleig said. Afterwards, the foal was successfully reunited with its mother, the pair said. The man "said he found the mom and reunited them, which was really good," Gleig said. "It was a good ending, which made it a good day," she said. Haddad was happy the two were able to help the foal. "He has this second chance at life," she said. "If we weren't there, he probably wouldn't be here today."
CBC
4 days ago
- General
- CBC
Baby horse gets 'second chance at life' after being rescued by paddlers in Kananaskis River
Social Sharing A foal that found itself stuck in the Kananaskis River would have been in big trouble, had paddlers Anna Gleig and Ava Haddad not come by. The two were making their way down the Kananaksis River on July 12 when they came across a group of horses along the bank. Haddad told CBC News one horse walking along the shoreline suddenly entered the river in front of their boat. "We were kind of freaking out there, because there's a massive horse that's just in the water stopping us from continuing on," said Haddad, who lives in the Calgary area. "And then we look to our right and there's this baby horse … pinned against the concrete part of the bridge, that is unable to move or get out." Gleig, a Canmore resident, said the mother horse was "quite panicked" as the depth of the water prevented her from reaching her foal. Gleig and Haddad, both students of the University of Calgary's environmental science program, knew they couldn't leave the young animal there. "We went forward and decided we need to save this foal," Haddad said. WATCH | Foal freed from flowing rive r: Foal rescued from river 19 hours ago Two friends rescued the foal as it struggled in the Kananaskis River. Another person was able to reunite it with its herd. (Photo credit: Ava Haddad / Anna Gleig) They dragged the boat up to the shore before venturing back into the water, scaring off the adult horses in the process. Rescuing the foal was a team effort, with Gleig grabbing it while Haddad paddled. "Somehow we were able to drag him across the the river stream, back to the the safer bank," said Gleig. "He's maybe like 80, 90 pounds, less than a week old," she said. "So still a big animal, but very small for a horse." Luckily for the foal, there was a former lifeguard onboard. "I've been a lifeguard, and I spent a lot of time in the river, so it was kind of using that sort of training," Gleig said. Haddad said the rescue was a success, with the foal co-operating fully. "He didn't fight back against us," she said. "He just let us take him, so that worked out really well." Now that it was rescued, a new problem arose: the adult horses, including the foal's mother, had been scared off during the rescue effort. "We were stuck with him, without his mom or anything," Gleig said. "We tried to leave him in the sun, hoping that the mom would come back if we weren't there, but we ended up waiting on that shoreside for about an hour and a half, and they never ended up coming back." Every time they tried to paddle away without the foal in the hopes its mother would return, "he would hop straight back into the water, which was not ideal," said Gleig. "I think he just didn't want to be left alone, which was really sweet, but made it a little bit more complicated for us." Determined to keep the foal safe, the pair took matters into their own hands. "I ended up putting my life-jacket on him and picking him up and putting him in the boat with us," said Gleig. "And miraculously, somehow he was calm enough, and was OK with being in the boat. The pair paddled downstream with the foal for about 20 minutes. "He took a little nap there because he was just so tired," Gleig said. 'It was a good ending' As the two tried to figure out what to do, Gleig was able to get a hold of somebody from the nearby Mînî Thnî community. The man who arrived to the scene recognized the horses solely from photos he was shown. "The guy knew exactly what herd [the foal] was from because we showed him photos … he came, picked [the foal] up, put him in the back of his pickup truck and drove him back," Gleig said. Afterwards, the foal was successfully reunited with its mother, the pair said. The man "said he found the mom and reunited them, which was really good," Gleig said. "It was a good ending, which made it a good day," she said. Haddad was happy the two were able to help the foal. "He has this second chance at life," she said. "If we weren't there, he probably wouldn't be here today."
CTV News
4 days ago
- Health
- CTV News
This 19-year-old got into all 7 of her med school choices. Her motto is to ‘do it afraid'
Ore Maxwell, 19, interviewed for seven med schools after fast tracking her bachelor' s degree. She was accepted to every single program. July 16, 2025. (CTV News Edmonton) Zipping through high school, undergrad and then med school is not for everyone. That's why Ore Maxwell, at just 19 years old, credits her family for their diligent support as she did just that. Now that she's been accepted into all seven medical schools she interviewed for, she wants to remind everyone to 'do it afraid.' 'That's something that my mom often told me,' she said. Maxwell graduated with her Bachelor of Health Sciences from Queen's University (with distinction, of course) three weeks ago. She's now immersed in medical school at the University of Calgary. That wasn't her only option available, though. In fact, she was also accepted to medical programs at the University of Toronto, McMaster University, Western University, University of Alberta, University of British Columbia and Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia. She managed to fast track her bachelor's degree too, completing it in three years instead of the traditional four. 'I really enjoyed the three-year program … I think when you have that continuity of things to me, I find that to be helpful for my style of learning,' she said. If you're keeping up with the math, Maxwell graduated high school at 16 and started university a few months later, right after she turned 17. 'Paying it forward' Between graduation and medical school, though, Maxwell still found time to make it to the Calgary Stampede with friends. 'I'm really big on paying it forward … over time, when you live in a way that you have people that help you so much, it makes you want to give back,' she said. Maxwell noted that the strong foundation of love and empathy she received from her parents and siblings were what paved a 'smooth' road, even in the most stressful moments of the application process. Maxwell was born and raised in Grande Prairie, Alta., and said she sees the 'benefit and the beauty' of both urban and rural spaces throughout her medical studies. Choosing U of C allowed her to stay in a city she loves while being taught a curriculum she said is 'holistic and comprehensive and unique.' 'Everything kind of fell into place, I think. So I'm really happy with [my] decision,' she said. She said she still hasn't chosen an exact field of medicine, but is excited to explore her options. Between founding a group that supports pediatric cancer patients during her undergrad and working or volunteering as everything from a mentor to a policy co-ordinator, Maxwell's always been busy. But she wants prospective students to know that her success required 'dedication' and 'diligence' – which she firmly believes anybody can achieve, although it is 'easier said than done.' When all else fails, she remembers the words her mother always told her. 'If you're scared about something, do it then, because that's when your emotions are the most heightened and when that sense of drive will be the most strong and passionate,' Maxwell said. 'It's OK to be scared and to be uncertain.'
CTV News
5 days ago
- Climate
- CTV News
Bear warning issued for part of Kananaskis Country: Alberta Parks
This April 29, 2019 file photo provided by the United States Geological Survey shows a grizzly bear and a cub along the Gibbon River in Yellowstone National Park, Wyo. (Frank van Manen/The United States Geological Survey via AP) A bear warning was issued earlier this week for parts of Kananaskis Country. The warning was issued for Lusk Creek, Stoney Creek Group Campground and the University of Calgary Barrier Lake Research Station. Parks Alberta posted on its website Wednesday that an adult grizzly bear has been seen in the area and in the cut blocks behind the University of Calgary Research Station. 'Although an advisory is in place for this area, bears can be encountered anywhere in the Kananaskis region at any time,' Parks Alberta posted. Berry season Parks Canada has posted a list of tips for helping hikers avoid surprising a bear who's feeding on berries. (Photo: Courtesy Parks Canada) Parks Canada posted a bulletin earlier in July with the headline 'It's berry season,' advising that black bears and grizzlies are feeding on berries at this time of year. It posted some advice for hikers and cyclists to avoid surprising a bear who's feeding. Make noise while on trails; Travel in tight groups; Trail running and cycling place you at much higher risk. Travel very slowly. Do not wear earbuds; Carry bear spray, ensure it is accessible and know how to use it; Watch for fresh bear signs such as scat. Be especially careful near berry patches; and If you see a bear, stay calm, back away slowly and leave the area. Never run. The bear warning was posted Wednesday, July 16, by Alberta Parks. It's in effect until further notice.
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Alberta's economy is expected to outperform this year, but young people are still struggling to find work
Taryn Leahy has been trying to find a job in Calgary for months and figures she has sent out 160 resumés since she started looking in January. It's been exhausting, she says, and demoralizing. She said her dream job would be working in a biology lab as a research assistant, putting the degree she earned at the University of Calgary last winter to good use. At this point, she'd settle for a part-time role as a receptionist, but even finding something like that is proving to be an overwhelming challenge. 'It doesn't feel too great to not be able to have a job, especially after putting in the effort to get a university degree,' she said. 'I feel like I'm not alone, though. I don't know if that makes it any more comforting, but I'm certainly not alone.' Gen-Zers across the country are up against a slump in hiring, but the job hunt is especially discouraging in Alberta, where the 15-to-24-year-old crowd is dealing with unusually high levels of unemployment. The jobless rate for this group was the highest in the country for much of the spring, hitting 17.2 per cent in both April and May. Things improved in June, with the rate falling to 16.4 per cent, still the second-highest in Canada, next to Newfoundland and Labrador, Statistics Canada said Friday. It might be comforting to know other Canadians are also feeling cheated out of a first crack at the workforce. But it doesn't put cash in Leahy's pocket, nor does it add crucial lines to her resumé. Her generation is caught up in a world of paradoxes. Alberta's economy is expected to be the country's top performer this year, according to some forecasts, and yet its younger workers are dealing with levels of unemployment they would typically see in a recession. Outside the pandemic, Alberta's job market hasn't been this bad for both men and women under 25 since the downturn of the early 1990s, according to Statistics Canada data. A mix of political and economic forces are working against them. Gen-Zers across Canada are feeling the effects of United States President Donald Trump's unpredictable trade policies, Mark Parsons, chief economist at ATB Financial, said. Employers are not hiring as much, worried the Trump administration could unleash a new round of tariffs at any moment, potentially derailing entire industries or perhaps slowing the global economy and the appetite for Canadian exports, he said. Entry-level positions are often among the first things to go when companies are reining in costs. Young people disproportionately bear the brunt of those cuts because they're new and inexperienced. But this alone doesn't fully explain why Leahy and people like her can't find a job. Parsons said young job seekers are also up against a lot more competition. Alberta remains the top destination for workers who are moving within Canada. These newcomers are overwhelmingly young families and youth. They're likely chasing the allure of more affordable housing, given that most of them are arriving from Ontario and British Columbia, which are the country's most expensive housing markets. 'You have young families coming here with their teenage kids or university-aged kids, and then you have a lot of young people coming here because of housing affordability advantages,' Parsons said. 'If people are chasing affordability, they might not be coming with a job. They might be coming into the labour market looking for work.' Companies in Alberta are still hiring young people, with overall employment for Gen Z up slightly in June from a year ago, but businesses are not hiring fast enough to keep pace with the influx of young people into the province. Leahy said she had thought that having a university degree would give her a leg up when applying for jobs, but she realizes it's not helping her stand out in an increasingly crowded labour market. 'The biology jobs that I'm looking at usually get 50 applicants a day, so I do look outside my field,' she said. 'There's a lot of admin jobs, but, unfortunately, I've only heard back once for an admin position.' After being ghosted by employers for months, Leahy is slowing down her job search. Maybe she can improve her resumé or dream up a new strategy with some downtime. The death of the summer job, and the troubles ahead for Canada Summer jobs for students: How to find work in B.C.'s tough job market Kate Han, an 18-year-old high school graduate, is feeling equally bummed about her chances of finding work in Alberta's largest city. She's been looking for anything that pays — fast food, retail, the Calgary Stampede — but she's not having any luck. 'There's no way people are looking at my resumé, especially since I don't have experience; there's no chance of me being considered because there are so many applicants for one job,' Han said, adding that some online postings attract hundreds or even thousands of responses. 'It just feels like I'm continuously getting rejected over and over again,' she said. • Email: rsouthwick@ Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
