An exhausted and stunned female kangaroo has been saved from drowning Lake Burley Griffin by a heroic team of Canberra dragon boaters.
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The Diamond Phoenix dragon boaters were undertaking a normal training session when one paddler pointed out there was something in the water at 6.30am on Wednesday.
Initially, the team assumed it was small log but upon closer inspection it was the nose of a kangaroo, desperately trying to stay afloat.
Coach Sally Bromley, who was one of 19 women in the boat, said the incident occurred just near Commonwealth Place.
"Our sweep is really experienced so she got the boat to come alongside the roo and I grabbed it round the waist and another lady grabbed it too," Sally said.
"We pulled it into the boat and it tried to hop but it was pretty exhausted."
One paddler "hugged" the roo to keep it from moving while the other ladies paddled to the edge of the lake.
"We put it on the shore and it just stood there, dazed a little bit. It was too tired to move so one of the ladies picked her back up and took her to the grass so she could eat."
Sally said the female kangaroo had a joey in her pouch, which "probably didn't survive" because she was in the water too long.
The team notified Territory and Municipal Services who sent a ranger out to check on the animal.
The report said although the kangaroo appeared stunned, it was physically ok.
The Diamond Phoenix dragon boaters have rescued a bird before, but nothing as big as a kangaroo.
"There was no question about it. It was just like, right, we are on a rescue mission," Sally said.