Platypus survives Canberra hitchhiking ordeal wedged inside car engine - ABC Online

Updated October 10, 2013 15:05:58

A platypus that hitched a 15-kilometre ride wedged inside a car engine has been released back into a Canberra creek.

The female platypus became stuck in the engine of Cameron Blaseotto's utility when he drove through the flooded Murrumbidgee River at Angle Crossing in Canberra's south.

When Mr Blaseotto arrived at his friend's home in Chisholm, he heard scratching noises under the bonnet.

"We originally thought a possum or something was going to jump out at both of us," the 18-year-old said.

"We had a bit of an argument about who was going to open the engine bay and crack the lock on the bonnet."

To his amazement, Mr Blaseotto popped the hood to find a platypus under the engine's air intake.

Remarkably, the critter - now nicknamed Hilux - was uninjured.

ACT Parks and Conservation Service regional manager Brett McNamara says it is an extraordinary tale of survival.

"There's just so many dangers in terms of moving parts within an engine bay, there's nothing much to hang onto - platypus have claws," he said.

"How this animal was able to climb up inside, hang on, and then drive all the way back into Canberra is a truly remarkable story. One of a kind, a one-in-a-million event."

In fact, ACT rangers were dubious about the truth of the story when they first received a call from Mr Blaseotto on Wednesday night.

"How this animal actually got inside the engine bay in the first place is remarkable. The vehicle was traversing Angle Crossing, the water level was up a little bit," Mr McNamara said.

"The animal somehow swam up and somehow climbed up the tyre perhaps and got inside."

The platypus was this morning released back into the waterway.

"I'd like to think that it's heading back to its burrow to tell a remarkable and fascinating tale of adventure about coming into the nation's capital," Mr McNamara said.

Topics: animals, act, gilmore-2905

First posted October 10, 2013 11:23:06