Kangaroo catches pesky pigeon for a quick hug

BUNBURY, Australia, Oct. 20 (UPI) -- A kangaroo being pestered by pigeons at an Australian park was recorded scooping one of the birds up for a quick goodbye hug.

The video, recorded earlier this year at the Bunbury Wildlife Park in Western Australia, shows a kangaroo lounging on the ground while numerous pigeons sift food from the sand around the marsupial.

The kangaroo, seemingly annoyed, swats the birds in an apparent attempt to keep them out of its personal space, but the pigeons prove persistent.

The finally fed-up kangaroo then scoops up one of the pigeons with its arms and pulls the bird into its chest for a tight hug.

The pigeon, which appears uninjured, is able to flap its wings and get loose from the marsupial's grip.

The hug appears to have gotten the message across, as the pigeons decide not to return to the kangaroo's space.