Heroic Man Jumps Into Water to Save a Drowning Koala!

Koalas are iconic symbols of Australia, frequently depicted peacefully dozing or munching happily on eucalyptus leaves. While they spend much of their time climbing, they also venture onto the ground. This is especially true when they’re looking for water, which becomes crucial during dry spells or bushfires. Sadly, these ground excursions can sometimes lead to trouble, like accidentally falling into water sources and struggling to escape. However, in this heartwarming YouTuber video, a courageous man didn’t hesitate to jump into the water and save a drowning koala!

A Quick Look at the Koala

Koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) are native to Australia, where they live and feed in eucalyptus trees. These iconic marsupials can vary quite a bit in size depending on where they live. For example, koalas in southern Australia can weigh up to 22 pounds. Those living in North Queensland, however, are much smaller, sometimes weighing as little as 12 pounds. An average adult koala stands about 2 to 3 feet tall, with males typically being heavier than females. Male koalas also tend to have larger heads and more prominent noses.

Can Koalas Swim?

Although koalas spend most of their time in eucalyptus trees, they can also swim, though they aren’t particularly skilled at it. They don’t often go into the water; they get most of the moisture they need from eating eucalyptus leaves. In fact, the very name “koala” is believed to originate from a Dharug word meaning “no water”.

Despite their rare need to drink, koalas do occasionally enter water. They will sometimes swim across streams or ponds to reach a better food source on the other side, or to escape a predator. They also seek out water to drink if the eucalyptus leaves aren’t providing enough hydration, which is common during droughts or after wildfires.

Koalas have strong limbs for climbing, but their bodies are not really built for efficient swimming. They are able to swim, but not for long distances. A major problem for koalas in water is finding a way to get out. Sadly, they often drown in swimming pools after entering for a drink, as the smooth edges offer no grip to climb back out onto dry land.

A Helping Hand for a Stranded Koala

It’s unclear exactly why the koala in this YouTube video ended up in the river. Perhaps it fell in accidentally and could not find a suitable spot to climb out, or maybe it was trying to escape a threat. What is clear is that the poor creature was completely exhausted and lacked the strength to reach the shore on its own. Thankfully, a kind bystander noticed the koala’s plight and quickly jumped in to save it from drowning.

It is important to note that the heroic rescuer wisely avoided direct contact with the koala in the water. Koalas are wild animals with sharp claws that could easily injure a human. Fortunately, the man respected the koala and used a tree branch to help it safely reach the riverbank where it could finally rest before continuing on its journey.