Cows in Switzerland have been airlifted to the bottom of their Alpine meadows in a bizarre spectacle.

Around 10 of the animals were taken by helicopter off the ridges in the Klausenpass region in the centre of the country.

Using a mesh harness, the creatures were suspended by a length of cable below the chopper as they took to the skies.

Waiting farmers used guide ropes to help bring the cows to land safely, before moving them into more conventional trailers.

Meanwhile, the more fit and able livestock made their way down the mountainside by hoof.

Farmer Jonas Arnold said: “One reason for the helicopter transport is that you can’t reach some pastures by car, and the other is that some cows are injured, so they don’t have to walk all the way down.”

He added: “I didn’t ask a cow how it feels after such a flight as it couldn’t answer, but it’s only a short distance and it has to keep going.

“It was only a short calm flight. I didn’t notice any difference between the ones that flew and the ones that walked normally.”

In total, the herd numbers around 1,000 – so only 1% of the group were given some help getting down.

They are heading to Urnerboden in Switzerland, and are gearing up for the annual cow parade there.

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