A hiker with a heart of gold carried an injured lamb down Northern Ireland’s third highest peak after finding it suffering.
Patrick McManus said he came across the animal as he trekked up Slieve Binnian in the Mourne Mountains on Thursday afternoon.
He first thought the poor creature had broken its two front legs after finding them buckled beneath him - so made the decision to carry the lamb on his back to get help.
The selfless telecoms engineer told Belfast Live: "Yesterday afternoon I was trekking up Slieve Binnian.
"About three quarters of the way up I came across the lamb with its two front legs buckled, clearly injured and on my way back down from the summit I realised that I couldn't leave him behind.
"So made the decision to carry him back down. I picked him up about 5.45pm - It was good hour's walking down the side of a mountain. Conditions were very slippery after all the rain.
"After posting on Facebook, leaving him to the vet seemed the appropriate course of action. I put him him in the boot of the car and drove him to the local vet - Liam Quinn at Mourne Veterinary Clinic ."
The 34-year-old said he was blown away by the positive response he got on social Facebook after reaching out for advice.
He added: "It was phenomenal with people and sanctuaries wanting to look after him.
"I can happily say he has been reunited with his owner and the vet has informed me he has badly dislocated his shoulder, but he thinks he will make a full recovery after three to four weeks with rest.
"I couldn't leave a man behind," he added.
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