Exhausted wallaby rescued by quick-thinking boater
Matt Smith rowed out and rescued an exhausted wallaby struggling in water more than 100 metres from shore.
A boater visiting south-west Victoria spotted a wallaby swimming away from Portland marina on Friday morning. The animal was tiring fast and heading into deeper water, more than 100 metres from land.
Matt Smith rowed out in a dinghy to reach it. The wallaby jumped into the boat on his first approach, then panicked and jumped out again.
Smith eventually coaxed it back aboard and brought it to dry land. Wildlife carers took over its care.
Smith said the wallaby would not have lasted much longer if it had kept swimming out to sea.
- Matt Smith
- Rescuer
- Portland marina, south-west Victoria
- Location
- More than 100 metres
- Distance offshore
- Friday morning
- Day rescued
Why it mattersA quick-thinking stranger's decision to help saved an animal's life in a moment when exhaustion would have been fatal.
AustraliaWallabies swimming in open water is rare but happens when they flee predators or get disoriented; this rescue shows how ordinary people can step in when wildlife is in distress.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 2 h ago
