Echidna saved from backyard pool in Muckadilla, Queensland by woman with pool scooper

A woman has been hailed a hero for rescuing a native Australian animal that was tottering from a backyard pool.

In a video uploaded to TikTok, Shan Croc, 38, is seen crawling around his pool after spotting an echidna trying to figure out how to escape.

The spiny monotreme somehow managed to get past the pool fence and into the water on Ms Croc’s property in Muckadilla, Queensland.

Mrs. Croc is then seen running to help, picking up a pool net and pulling the Australian icon out of the pool.

While rescuing the spiny creature, Mrs. Croc is heard reassuring the echidna by saying, “I’m going to save you” and “Okay, okay.”

Although many praised her actions, others thought she was more concerned with social media content than saving the echidna.

‘I’m going to save you! Grab a phone and go for a spin in the pool,” one person commented.

“I’ll save you but only once I’ve picked up my phone to view Tik Tok content,” wrote a second.

The spiny monotreme sailed over the pool fence and fell into the water at Shan Croc’s property in Muckadilla, in regional Queensland before needing help to be carried to safety.

Mrs Croc named the echidna ‘Ian’ and said: ‘I’m starting to wonder if I ruined her New Year’s resolution’

However, many users thanked him for saving the echidna, and also said that echidnas are good swimmers, so there was “no rush.”

Others commented that people in areas where echidnas live should install wildlife ladders as a way for natives to rescue themselves from pools.

Ms Croc has since filmed the echidna she named ‘Ian’ again on her property, saying: ‘he might have come back for more laps’.

“I’m beginning to wonder if I messed up her New Year’s resolution,” Mrs. Croc commented jovially.

Echidnas are known to be strong swimmers, and some scientists believe they evolved from water-loving platypuses.