Morning beach walkers at Killcare conducted a most unusual surf rescue on Tuesday morning, July 15, after a wallaby in poor condition was spotted in the shallow surf.
Locals hesitated at first as the male swamp wallaby was a good size, but shortly after it appeared the marsupial was struggling to get out of the water.
Rescuers then guided the wallaby away from the water and called Wildlife Rescue and the NSW National Parks, who sent experienced helpers to the beach.
The carers attempted to dry the ‘swampy’, wrapping him in a towel while waiting for help.
Wildlife rescuers arrived a short time later and assessed the fully grown male marsupial before taking him away for treatment.
Locals say swamp wallabies are known to inhabit the Bouddi National Park and surrounding bushland and occasionally frequent the beach, though no reports of full submersion have been noted.
The wallaby was taken to a specialist vet at Erina, where all efforts were made to bring him back to health, though he sadly died that afternoon.
