Early on Wednesday morning 16th June 2010, Dave Prowse and his friends, surfers staying at 3 Mile camp, Gnaraloo Station was heading up to the famous surf spot ‘Tombstones’ for his morning surf, when he saw a Euro Wallaroo in danger out in the ocean. The Roo looked exhausted and seemed to be struggling to swim approximately 100m offshore. He must have been stuck on the small beach when the high tide came in and got washed out with the big swell that day.

Dave grabbed his surf board and headed straight out into the surf to save the drowning Roo, not worrying about any danger he was putting himself into. Kangaroos have been known to drown animals if chased out into water or being attacked or threatened in any way, not to mention they have very sharp claws and powerful legs which could easily tear you open.

Upon reaching the Euro, Dave was able to place the Roo’s front arms on the surfboard to keep its head out of the water, which the Roo seemed happy enough to do, then Dave wrapped his arm around the Roo and grabbed his surfboard himself and started to swim to safety through the waves and onto the Beach. By this time there was an anxious crowd of surfers on the beach watching the amazing rescue, ready to help once they got to the shore.

They all were then able to help carry the Roo up the small cliff and lay him down to rest. They offered him a drink of Fresh water to wash all the salt water down that he had possibly swallowed, which he happily drank plenty of. After a short time the Euro got up and started to slowly hop away. He got about 5 meters from the group of helpers and turned around as if to say thank you to them for saving his life.

It was a great experience and feeling for all those involved in the rescue.