FRNSW helps rescue native animals trapped in floodwaters - VIDEO - Moama
Published: 20 Oct 2022 04:50pm
A Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) 'In-water' strike team today has helped rescue a wallaby from floodwaters in the state's Riverina region.
Around 10:45am, specialist swift-water rescue crews were carrying out reconnaissance work around the Murray River in Moama when they came across the animal in distress, caught in the fast-flowing river.
They steered their boat towards the wallaby, lifting it onto the vessel before taking the marsupial to nearby grassland and releasing it.
The NSW State Emergency Service (NSW SES) and Surf Life Saving NSW were also involved in the operation.
A short time later, locals preparing sandbags in the same township spotted a kangaroo hopping around in floodwaters.
They alerted FRNSW who attended and carefully guided the animal back to land, where it was able to catch its breath.
FRNSW also has strike teams pre-positioned at Barham in the western Riverina, Warren in the Central West, and Moree in the North, where it's predicted conditions may worsen over coming days.
All four strike teams have spent the day carrying out analysis of how local rivers and waterways are behaving, and how local roads and river crossings are holding up.
Crews are also familiarising themselves with the local environments and carrying out training for certain situations which may arise, based on current and forecast weather patterns.
These activities are being undertaken alongside FRNSW's frontline partners, to support the lead combat agency for storms and floods, the NSW SES.
Residents are advised to stay up to date with the latest advice and warnings from the Bureau of Meteorology and the NSW SES.
EDITORS NOTE: High resolution photos from the flood zones are available on the FRNSW website. Video of the wildlife rescues is available via https://vimeo.com/762129702/78baf3560d [external link]
Updated: 30 Jan 2023 09:13pm
Details about this incident may change and should not be used as emergency information and/or advice.
For all life threatening emergencies, call Triple Zero (000)
For flood information, warnings or requests for non-life threatening assistance, call the SES on 132 500 or visit the NSW State Emergency Service website here. [external link].
For information directly relating to bushfires please call the Bush Fire Information Line on 1800 679 737 or visit the NSW Rural Fire Service Website here. [external link]
Stations nearby
30-32 Maiden Street, Moama NSW 2739
264 George Street, Deniliquin NSW 2710
40 Wakool Street, Barham NSW 2732