【2003 Archives】

You're not supposed to get too close to the wildlife003 Archives but in Australia, sometimes it just finds you.

Two tourists were paddleboarding off Monkey Mia Beach in Western Australia on Jan. 26 when they came across an emu who was cooling off in the water.

According to WA Today, the moment was captured by Catamaran Cruises Aristocat 2 deckhand Shayne Thomson, who filmed as the boat was leaving for a wildlife cruise.

While the waters are known for dugongs and dolphins, you're less likely to see an emu -- although the bird is known for being a good swimmer.

The English backpackers told the newspaper the encounter was "more Aussie than if Crocodile Dundee had offered to buy them a beer." 

And fair enough, it's an experience that'll be difficult to replicate.

(Editor: {typename type="name"/})