Drowning kangaroo rescued from woman's backyard pool

Aug. 16 (UPI) -- Wildlife rescuers in Australia were called to the home of a woman who spotted a hapless kangaroo struggling to stay afloat in her backyard pool.

Allison Glover of Hurstbridge said she called Wildlife Australia on Wednesday morning when she spotted the kangaroo swimming in her backyard pool and appearing to have trouble keeping its head above water.

Rescuers arrived on the scene about 15 minutes later and were able to pull on the kangaroo's ear until it was close enough for them to grab its legs and hoist it out of the water.

The marsupial was taken to a rescue facility in Doreen, where veterinarians were monitoring it for hypothermia and fluid in its lungs.

The rescuers said the kangaroo would likely have drowned if it had remained in the water for just five more minutes.

"This kangaroo is now recovering in very experienced hands," Wildlife Australia said in a Facebook post. "Fingers crossed for a swift recovery!"