Paul Zammit’s dinghy became a Noah’s Ark of sorts during the New South Wales floods disaster.
He carried his pet emu, Gookie, to safety – Bodyguard-style – on Tuesday morning.
Zammit has a substantial private menagerie that he estimates to number 400 animals including birds. As flood waters closed in on his property on Sunday morning, he and his friends set to work evacuating the animals to safety.
It has been “a very stressful time” for the fencer who lives at McGraths Hill north-west of Sydney.
“It started on Sunday about 12pm … and finished at 10pm that night,” he said. Early on Monday morning, the evacuation continued, and by 6pm “everything was out”. Except for one animal – Gookie.
Zammit said his pair of emus “ran straight over the top of them [the fences] … they wanted to go across the water”. He did not realise how well emus could swim until Gookie was found quite far from his home on Tuesday.
Rescuing the bird was another challenge. “She was struggling, they’re very, very strong. You’d be surprised how strong they are, it took three grown men trying to hold [the emu] down.”
The emus are now safely located at a friend’s property, as are many of Zammit’s other animals. His deer, however, have taken up residence in his home – which has not been flooded. “Just that all of them are home and safe, that’s the main thing,” he said.
Domestic animals and wildlife are being picked up by rescue services across the state as floods continue.
On the mid-north coast, NSW police and the SES evacuated eight greyhounds and a fox terrier on Sunday evening.
On Sunday, eight greyhounds and a fox terrier were rescued by officers from a home inundated by flood waters on the mid-north coast.
— NSW Police Force (@nswpolice) March 23, 2021
With assistance from the @NSWSES, all animals and the occupants were safely evacuated. Well done to all involved! pic.twitter.com/bDLucYax5d
In Port Macquarie, SES Marine Rescue said volunteers had evacuated “15 greyhounds, five cats and a flying fox” since Friday.
More from Paw Patrol: the Marine Rescue Port Macquarie crew has delivered its very good passengers to shore. Volunteer Rob Breskal wasn't sure if he should be barking orders or playing Dr Doolittle. From the largest hound to the littlest pup, they proved first class travellers. pic.twitter.com/Mib08s0xWo
— Marine Rescue NSW (@MarineRescueNSW) March 21, 2021
Following an “exhaustive search”, Marine Rescue Broken Bay rescued four residents, three dogs and two cats from the northern side of Dumaresq Island on Tuesday.
Near Sydney, wildlife rescue service Wires, working with Total Fauna Solutions, saved an eastern grey kangaroo, which was washed into a waterway on Sunday.
Wires urged NSW residents against attempting heroics in dangerous conditions such as flood waters. It said animals spotted in distress should be reported to their service online or by calling 1300 094 737.
Emergency Update
— WIRES (@WIRESWildlife) March 22, 2021
Over the weekend, this Eastern Grey Kangaroo was rescued in a collaborative effort with WIRES and Total Fauna Solutions. Called in by a member of public, there was concern for this Kangaroo which had been washed into a waterway. #NSWFloods#AustraliaFloods pic.twitter.com/isxulf5Ll5
In southern Queensland, heavy rains prompted a rare visitor – giant earthworms.
Mount Tamborine hotel proprietor Darren Jack was “just shocked and stunned” by a worm 50cm long trying to sneak into one of his guest rooms on Tuesday morning.
“To see one at the door trying to get into the motel, it would have had to travel up the stairs,” said Jack. “And I was going ‘What are you doing here?’”
The Digaster longmani Boardman earthworm is native to Mount Tamborine and can grow to over one metre in length. Jack said Tuesday’s discovery, which he filmed and posted to Facebook, was a surprise. But, he added, “I’ve seen much, much larger ones … in length and thickness, almost like a snake.”
Mount Tamborine has been experiencing very heavy rains and flooding over the past two days. The wet conditions bring the giant earthworms to the surface.
While the worms aren’t typically seen they can be heard. Mount Tamborine national park tells visitors: “As you walk through the forest you may hear strange gurgling sounds coming from the ground. These noises are the result of giant Tamborine earthworms travelling through their waterlogged, underground burrows.”
Jack says he has now relocated the worm to more appropriate accommodation.
