A terrified and weary kangaroo was saved from freezing waters by two compassionate men who ventured into the cold lake to rescue it.
The heartwarming incident occurred at Lake Burley Griffin in Canberra and was captured on video by David Boyd, who subsequently shared it on Facebook.
In the footage, the duo can be seen cautiously wading towards the shivering kangaroo with outstretched arms, beckoning it to come closer.
Watch the video at the end.
As one man reaches for the animal, it reacts fearfully, flailing its arms. Thankfully, the two rescuers secure the kangaroo and hoist it to safety on the promenade, where a third may help.
Onlookers watch as the trio succeeds in calming the kangaroo down. In a surprising gesture, the animal extends its arm to one of the men, which Boyd interprets as a show of gratitude. He can be heard saying, “Aw, he’s thanking ya,” as he films the touching scene.
Boyd mentioned on Facebook that the kangaroo was initially in shock but recovered within 30 minutes.
Social media users praised the men for their heroic actions, with comments like “That has made my day” and “Thank goodness people were around to see him in there, or he would’ve frozen.”
It is important to note that injured or frightened kangaroos can become defensive and dangerous. Experts recommend contacting wildlife rescue organizations like WIRES instead of approaching the animal yourself.
Watch the video below: