Ok ?

Mark W. Tonner · #1 28-04-04, 14:45

Caught this story this morning and thought I'd pass it along:

By SUN ONLINE REPORTER

A HERO kangaroo is to receive a rare bravery award for rescuing a farmer knocked unconscious by a falling tree branch, after an incident which could have come straight from TV favourite Skippy.

Lulu, a four-year-old eastern grey kangaroo, raised the alarm after Len Richards was knocked out cold on his cattle ranch 112 miles east of the Victorian state capital, Melbourne, in September last year.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Australia confirmed Lulu will be presented with the Australian Animal Valour Award next month.

"It’s the first time a native animal has ever received the award," RSPCA executive officer Jenny Hodges said.

"Certainly the vast majority of recipients have been dogs."

Mr Richards, 51, said he owed his life to the kangaroo, which he rescued from the pouch of her mother who had been killed by a logging truck.

"I’d be pushing up daisies if it wasn’t for Lulu," Richards said.

Mr Richards estimates he had been unconscious for about 30 minutes about 1,000 yards from his house before his nephew investigated the kangaroo’s commotion.

He said his nephew told him the kangaroo "was standing over me with her big hind legs at my back. She looked like she’d rolled me over on my side to keep my airway clear, but we’ll never know for sure."

Mr Richards was evacuated by helicopter to a Melbourne hospital and has since recovered.

Lulu will be only the ninth animal to receive the award.

Cheers