Kangaroo rescued from Lake Burley Griffin in Canberra is euthanized after courageous rescue
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An ailing kangaroo rescued from a lake by two Good Samaritans has been euthanized after extreme stress from the incident.
The shivering native got stuck in the frigid shallows of Lake Burley Griffin in Canberra last month, but was dragged to shore by two men.
As viral images of the brave rescue warmed hearts around the world, it has now been revealed that the ailing kangaroo had to be euthanized.
David Boyd captured a scared and tired kangaroo on Tuesday being rescued by two men from chilly Lake Burley Griffin in Canberra on Tuesday.
An ACT government spokesman said a department vet examined the depleted room and found it to be in “poor physical condition.”
“Given the great concern for the welfare of the kangaroo, the animal was euthanized,” they said.
“Several factors contributed to concerns about the welfare of this kangaroo, including the bad symptoms the animal was displaying, the location where the animal was found, and the cold, windy weather.”
The spokesperson said kangaroos can suffer from capture myopathy or muscle damage from extreme exercise or stress.
The risk of capture myopathy — a non-infectious disease found in wild and domestic animals — was a primary consideration in any kangaroo rescue, they said.
The two men were able to carefully approach the hair-raising woo and grab it to get it to safety.
The ACT Parks and Conservation Service reminded the community to always seek professional help if a native animal is in danger.
“Give the animal space and watch it from a distance – leave enough space for the animal to leave the area,” the spokesperson said.
In viral footage of the brave rescue, we see two men slowly moving their arms toward the animal and calling for the water-soaked room to come closer.
The kangaroo can be seen shivering as he watches both men cautiously approach the traumatized animal.
A third man waited on the boardwalk to lift the kangaroo out of the water
As soon as the man on the left reached out to grab the kangaroo, the animal is seen waving its arms around in fear.
Fortunately, the two men were able to grab the concerned room and make it to safety on the boardwalk, where a third man was waiting to help.
As many passers-by watched, the third man tried to calm it down.
The three men managed to calm the kangaroo when he extended his arm to one of them in what Mr. Boyd said was a way of showing appreciation.
“Ah, he thanks you,” you hear Mr. Boyd say behind the camera.
The three men managed to calm the kangaroo when he extended his arm to one of them in what Mr. Boyd said was a way of showing appreciation.
Mr Boyd wrote on the social media platform that the kangaroo was in a bit of shock and that it took about 30 minutes for the animal to recover.
Many users have praised the men for jumping in and saving the room.
One user wrote: ‘That made my day.’
While another said: ‘Omg that’s so great! Thank God there were people to see him in there or else he would have been frozen.’
Kangaroos that are injured, sick or frightened are known to become defensive if approached and can be dangerous and cause injuries.
People are advised to call authorities such as WIRES wildlife rescue to assist rather than approach the animal.
Mr Boyd wrote on the social media platform that the kangaroo was in a bit of shock and that it took about 30 minutes for the animal to recover and recover