Emergency services have rescued Gina the domestic camel from floodwaters along the swollen Murray River.
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The distressed camel had been trapped for days by floodwaters on the NSW/Victorian border near Moama.
Gina had wandered off from her small herd, and ignored her owner's repeated attempts to coax her out of the water and back to dry land.
Fears then grew as camels cannot swim and the owner called emergency services to help the stricken animal.
Fire and Rescue NSW, SES, Marine Rescue and Surf Life Saving answered the call to the dromedary drama.
Crews travelled by boat from Moama Bridge to the camel farm, and then used their boats on arrival to create a river barrier.
"Wading through the river up to their chests, the specially-trained rescue technicians used hay to lure Gina out of the floodwater and back to dry land," a Fire and Rescue NSW spokesperson said.
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She was soon returned to the herd unharmed.
Meanwhile, there is major flooding at Moama and Echuca, with the peak expected to be higher than the 1975 and 1993 floods.
An emergency evacuation order is in place for parts of Echuca and Echuca Village.
Murray River
- Major flooding is occurring along the Murray River at Echuca, Moama, Torrumbarry and Barham.
- Murray River at Echuca was 94.96 metres AHD at 3pm on Wednesday, October 26 and steady, with major flooding.
- Murray River at Echuca may remain around the current level through to the weekend with major flooding.
Campaspe River
- The river level along the Campaspe River at Echuca is currently at 94.81 m AHD and steady, with moderate flooding.
- The river is expected to remain above the moderate flood level (94.40 m AHD) for the remainder of Wednesday and into Thursday.
- Renewed rises are occurring due to flood waters backing up from the Murray River and are expected to continue in the coming days.
- Further rises are also possible as flood waters from upstream arrive from the most recent rainfall event.
Nadine Morton
I report on crime, emergency services and police matters. Email me on nadine.morton@austcommunitymedia.com.au
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