The approximately 200kg poddy calf is one of a group kept by the Bodalla Dairy shed for children to feed and play with. He found himself in trouble after investigating a pond on the property.

“He went into the pond, it was muddy, and being young and inexperienced he didn’t realise he couldn’t walk on water,” SES unit commander Chris Zammit said.

“This is the first one we have had to rescue, but it’s not the first time it’s happened – they can usually get out themselves.”

The crew worked in the mud to save the calf from a grim fate – if a stuck calf cannot be rescued, it must be put down.

“It took us about two hours to get him out, and then we stayed for a bit and made sure he was okay,” Mr Zammit said.

“First we dug his legs out, then dragged him onto dry ground. We used man power and slings to get him out – we can’t use mechanical equipment because you don’t know if it will hurt the animal.

“When he got out he just lay there and ate, he was too tired to stand up.”

Mr Zammit said the owners were “very appreciative” – and presumably the calf was too.