Water you doing all the way out here? Exhausted wallaby is rescued after almost drowning more than 6km out to sea - and police have no idea how she got there
- 'Dawny' the wallaby was rescued from the sea after being spotted by boaters
- A Queensland resident called police after spotting the wallaby struggling
- 'Dawny' was more than six kilometres out to sea when she was rescued
A small wallaby has had a lucky escape after water police rescued her as she desperately tried to stay afloat more than six kilometres out to sea.
A member of the public found the wallaby off the coast of south-east Queensland's Stradbroke Island on January 29 and watched over her for hours, but wouldn't pick her up.
They told ABC News they were afraid of getting injured while trying to retrieve the native animal, and called police when the wallaby began to struggle to stay afloat.
A wallaby now nicknamed 'Dawny' had a lucky escape when Queensland water police rescued her as she struggled to stay afloat more than 6km off the coast
Acting Sergeant Gene Hill, who nicknamed the wallaby 'Dawny' after legendary swimmer Dawn Fraser, called the rescue the most fulfilling in his seven years with the police service.
'Water police officers jumped into action and arrived on scene, observing a very fatigued marsupial swimming in circles,' a police statement read.
'Officers promptly conducted person overboard drills and a very relieved wallaby was assisted from the water.'
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Acting Sergeant Gene Hill, who nicknamed the wallaby 'Dawny' after legendary swimmer Dawn Fraser, called the rescue the most fulfilling in his seven years with the police.
'I think she was so relieved to have somebody bring her out of the water, she didn't resist at all. She was very relieved to be in the boat,' he said.
'It was a great sense of satisfaction.'
Sgt Hill cradled Dawny in his arms after the rescue and said she was 'happy with the attention' as he cuddled her on their way back to shore
'I gave her lots of cuddles on the way back to shore and she didn't object in any way, and I think she was happy with the attention. It was a good feeling all around,' he said.
After they were sure the wallaby had recovered enough to be released they took her back to North Stradbroke Island and set her free.
Dawny took a moment to regather her composure before hopping off into the scrub.
Sgt Hill said he couldn't begin to fathom how the wallaby ended up so far out to sea.
After posting the video to social media a large number of commenters were quick to praise the officers' efforts.
'Well done all involved. Thank you for saving the little wallaby,' one wrote.
'Poor little darling. Thanks for rescuing her,' another added.
'Wonderful to see the wallaby saved and treated so well. Good police work,' a third replied.
'I bet she wouldn't wallaby caught out at sea again,' a comment from Queensland Police read.
Officers released Dawny on North Stradbroke Island (pictured) once they were sure she'd recovered from her ordeal
