Emergency services in a rural part of Australia were confronted with an unusual challenge recently - how to get a cow out of a swimming pool.
State Emergency Service (SES) volunteers in New South Wales received an "unusual, large animal rescue call" on Saturday.
When they arrived at the address in Gilgandra they found a "very friendly, healthy cow standing in neck-deep water", according to the unit's Facebook page.
"After a period of time and some significant coaxing, she was freed from her watery escape. A great outcome for all."
Geoff Kiehne, SES Commander for the Gilgandra Unit, told 9News the 300kg cow was "quite happy and very content" when he and two large-animal rescue specialists arrived at the scene.
"We suspect something startled her and she ran through a panel straight into the water," he said.
Because the cow was so relaxed, rescuers opted to coax her out by walking up the pool's steps.
Finally, after three failed attempts and with a little help from rescuers, she managed to get out, Kiehne said.
"It was a very unusual event, I've never had a cow in a pool before," he told 9News.
