A National Parks employee who saved a young echidna from flooding was honored by having a puggle named after him, albeit there was one small problem with that.
Kevin Staker was traveling to work near Menindee in outback New South Wales when he noticed something peculiar on the side of the road.
I looked in the rearview mirror and observed this object in the water. I believed it to be a doll,’ Mr. Staker told Daily Mail Australia.
I asked my friend, “What the heck is that?” When I turned around and saw it trembling, I knew it was alive.
“Upon closer inspection, I realized it was a newborn echidna. I truly could not believe it.
Kevin Staker rescued a young echidna that he initially mistook for a toy doll in the water.
Although the species is very widespread in the region, Mr. Staker has never seen one in the water in his 63 years there.
As echidnas do not begin sprouting spikes until they are 50 days old, he believed the puggle would not have lived for much longer.
It was freezing and trembling, poor little creature. I brought it to the office and warmed it in the sun.
Then, as I ran about and attempted to remove my shirt, the atmosphere became rather animated.
Mr. Staker stated that he “fell in love with” the infant, who was named after him.
“It must have become accustomed to my holding it, since if somebody came close, it would snuggle itself back into me.
They have the softest feet you’ve ever encountered. Similar to a baby’s feet. It like me stroking it.’
Mr. Staker was aware of a 100-kilometer-away organization named Rescue and Rehabilitation of Australian Native Animals (RRANA) in Broken Hill that may assist the echidna.
He phoned RRANA and discussed Kevin with its president, Lindy Hunt.
Kevin Staker is photographed holding the young echidna he rescued from flooding in rural NSW and named Kevin.
Mr. Staker explained, “It worked out perfectly since one of my coworkers was traveling to Broken Hill that day for a course, so she brought it to the rescue joint.”
Ms. Hunt noted that adult echidnas are excellent swimmers, but that Kevin was fortunate to have made it to the edge, where he was rescued.
In her 19 years of helping with RRANA, she had only encountered two puggles, but she had just lately acquired a special echidna milk.
Ms. Hunt told the ABC, “His tiny tongue comes out and he licks it and rubs against your palm as he would his mother’s belly since they don’t have nipples.”
They are the most incredible creatures.
Kevin the infant echidna (pictured) will be put back into the wild at Menindee, near to where it was discovered.
Mr. Staker disagreed with the decision to name the infant echidna Kevin since he believed it was not male.
I told the woman, “I believe it’s a girl,” but she stated it was impossible to determine at this age. They must do an ultrasound to determine their sexual orientation.
His intuition was confirmed; baby Kevin is in fact a female.
Kevin is currently being cared for by specialists in the Taronga Plains Zoo in Dubbo, some 700 kilometers east of where she was found.
Mr. Staker believed he would never see her again, but then he received some encouraging information.
“They will return her here and release her where I found her.” It was beautiful (to hear that). It truly brightened my day,’ he remarked