Royal Flying Doctor pilot reveals real story behind viral photo

An Aussie pilot who was captured in a heartwarming video holding hands with a kangaroo has revealed the creature just wanted some company.

Mick Young, a pilot with the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) for nine years, befriended the young female kangaroo in Port Augusta, around 310km north-west of Adelaide, last month.

The marsupial walked up to Mr Young and his colleague Dave Rose who were in town to attend a function.

‘We weren’t sure what was going on, [we thought] maybe it needs a drink so we grabbed some water and gave it a drink,’ he told ABC News Breakfast.

Footage of Aussie pilot Mick Young holding the hand of a young female kangaroo (pictured) in Port Augusta, South Australia, last month has melted the hearts of Aussies

The two men soon realised she was not thirsty but was looking for some companionship.

A heartwarming video captured by Mr Rose, who is a an engineer with the RFDS,  showed the moment the kangaroo reached out and held the hand of Mr Young.

Mr Young held the paw of the creature as the kangaroo stood still and enjoyed the warm embrace.

Moments later she hopped away while Mr Young was seen walking slowly behind.

‘It really just wanted a human interaction,’ Mr Young said.

‘We started to question whether this was a wild kangaroo or an orphan raised by humans – one that’s got away.’

Mr Young said the animal had approached Mr Rose moments before the footage was taken.

‘It walked quietly up to Dave and put its head on his right shoulder and its paw on his left shoulder,’ he said.

A picture of the touching exchange between the pair has since gone viral on social media, with hundreds of people reacting to the unlikely encounter.

The kangaroo hopped away a short time later (pictured) as Mr Young walked slowly behind

‘Beautiful Picture,’ one person wrote on Facebook.

‘Thank you for sharing such a lovely moment,’ another person said.

Mr Young said he has seen the kangaroo a couple of times bounding across the road.

She even made an appearance at the Port Augusta airport once, while a staff member was opening up the terminal.

‘It was a nice moment,’ Mr Young said.

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