TAMS have a cute story on a platypus taking an unusual interest in the engine bay of a Toyota Hilux and going for a ride:
A young female platypus has survived a 15 kilometre journey in the engine bay of a Toyota Hilux which had driven through water at Angle Crossing at the Murrumbidgee River south of Canberra late yesterday.
“After returning to a friend’s house in Gilmore and hearing a scratching noise coming from the engine, the driver opened the bonnet to find a platypus inside. To say he and his friend were surprised is a fair understatement,” said Brett McNamara, Manager, Regional Operations, ACT Parks and Conservation Service.
“The gentleman called Canberra Connect and was put onto our urban wildlife team who came and rescued the animal. Following a check-up from an animal carer, we returned the platypus to her home to Angle Crossing this morning. Quite remarkably, she was in perfect health.
“There’s obviously many moving parts within an engine bay and given platypus have claws there is not much to hang onto. It is a one of a kind type event.