In a remarkable display of courage and teamwork, police officer Jiangyong Zhaxi and local villagers waded into the freezing Yalong River in Sichuan Province, southwest China, to rescue three endangered white-lipped deer trapped in the ice. Despite the frigid conditions, the operation ended in smiles as the last deer was safely freed.

Thanks to quick action and strong cooperation between the police and local community, all three of the nationally protected animals were successfully rescued.