An Australian pilot who was captured in a touching video holding hands with a kangaroo revealed the creature just wanted some company.
Mick Young, a Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) pilot for nine years, befriended the young kangaroo in Port Augusta, about 310 kilometers northwest of Adelaide, last month.
The marsupial approached Mr Young and his colleague Dave Rose who were in town to attend a function.
“We weren’t sure what was happening, [we thought] “maybe he needs a drink, so we got some water and gave him a drink,” he said. ABC News Breakfast.
Images of Australian pilot Mick Young holding the hand of a young kangaroo (pictured) in Port Augusta, South Australia, last month have melted the hearts of Australians.
The two men soon realized that she was not thirsty but was looking for company.
A moving video captured by Rose, who is an RFDS engineer, showed the moment the kangaroo reached out and took Mr Young’s hand.
Mr Young held the creature’s paw as the kangaroo stopped and enjoyed the warm embrace.
Moments later, she skipped away while Mr Young was seen walking slowly behind.
“I really just wanted human interaction,” Mr. Young said.
“We began to wonder if this was a wild kangaroo or an escaped human-raised orphan.”
Young said the animal had approached Rose moments before the images were taken.
“He quietly walked up to Dave and put his head on his right shoulder and his paw on his left shoulder,” she said.
An image of the touching exchange between the couple has since gone viral on social media, with hundreds of people reacting to the unlikely encounter.
The kangaroo bounded away a short time later (pictured) while Mr Young walked slowly behind.
“Beautiful image,” one person wrote on Facebook.
“Thank you for sharing such a beautiful moment,” another person said.
Mr Young said he had seen the kangaroo a couple of times jumping across the road.
He even made an appearance at Port Augusta airport once, while a member of staff opened the terminal.
“It was a nice moment,” Mr. Young said.