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Swiss army ‘stealing’ water from French lake to feed cows

A Swiss army helicopter fills a water tank on Lake Gruyere in Switzerland. (EPA)

Swiss military helicopters have been caught red-handed while “stealing water” from a French lake to save thirsty cows.

The Swiss army’s operation to scoop water from the Rousses Lake in the eastern French Jura mountains caught local authorities by surprise and also scared swimmers and fishermen, the Associated Press reported on Monday.

The local deputy mayor, Christophe Mathez, said they had “no idea this operation would occur," noting that the Swiss army neither gained permission for the operation nor even warned them beforehand. He added that the panicked locals are still waiting for clarification.

According to Swiss media, authorization was sought for the operation from the French Air Force, not from local authorities or the police.

A Swiss army helicopter delivers water from a reservoir in the Jura mountains. (EPA)

"As soon as they contacted us, we realized there was a communication problem and we immediately stopped," said Swiss military official Denis Froidevaux.

Switzerland’s incursion was part of a government-funded operation aimed at delivering water to cows in the Swiss mountain pastures that are experiencing water shortages due to a heat wave.

Some 20,000 cows in Switzerland are reported to be in need of drinking water to produce milk, which is used to produce prized cheeses.


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