Wombat rescued from river by fishermen in Tasmania

There are a few things you would expect to see while out fishing on a river in Australia, but there's also some local wildlife that you'd be more accustomed to seeing on land.

This man was out fishing with a family member when he was amazed to come across a wombat bobbing along in the middle of the river.

See also: Orphaned baby wombat joins zookeeper on daily rounds

The fisherman, whose name is Craig, lowered his fishing net into the water to try and help the poor critter and the tired wombat was quick to lock onto it.

Although wombats can swim they tend to avoid water - and it seems this exhausted wombat was more than happy to take a well deserved rest.

See also: Australian zoo walks wombats on leads to help them lose weight

But it's not only the wombats who appear to be trying their hands at swimming in Tasmania. ABC News reported on a echidna that was also seen taking a dip recently.

The hedgehog like creature was spotted by Nobby Clarke, a recreational fisherman who initially thought the animal was a platypus.

He told ABC: "I thought it was a platypus heading towards me but it turned out to be an echidna," he said.

"His head would go under water and then his little periscope would come up for a moment and have a breath and head out a few more paddles.

"He was swimming pretty hard; I think he was trying to figure out how he was going to get home."

Mr Clark brought the little animal on board his boat and took him back to the shore where he left him to 'thaw out' on a warm log.

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