She Was Surveying the Land. Then the Wolves Came

Dispatchers in Okanogan, Wash., received an unusual call right around lunchtime Thursday: A woman phoned to say she was perched 30 feet up in a tree near a local campground, with wolves hovering at the bottom and waiting for her to come down, the AP reports. The research student said she'd been surveying the area when she saw the wolves; the tree seemed her best possible escape.

Deputies sent to assist her were told they could shoot the wolves on sight if they were still at the tree's base, authorities tell KREM, but apparently that wasn't necessary: A Department of Natural Resources helicopter was able to land and save the student. The local sheriff says his office is looking into whether the wolves have a den there and if they'll pose future threats to other people wandering in the area. (More wolves stories.)