Overview
- Marion County deputies and fire rescue found a couple and three dogs in distress in the Juniper Prairie Wilderness, a remote area inside Ocala National Forest.
- An aviation unit located the group and guided rescuers to them, and crews treated the woman, who is about 25 weeks pregnant, for dehydration with IV fluids.
- Rescuers used ATVs to move the party along the trail, and all people and pets were evacuated safely after on‑scene care.
- Officials said the hikers underestimated the heat, ran low on water, and were still more than an hour from the Florida National Scenic Trail trailhead.
- The sheriff’s office credited teamwork with fire rescue and the U.S. Forest Service and urged hikers to bring extra water, avoid peak afternoon heat, know their route, and watch for heat‑illness signs in people and pets.