[Canberra, Australia] On September 22, 2003, fifty-two-year old hobby farmer Leonard Richards was checking for storm damage on his property at Tanjil South, 150 km east of Melbourne, when he was hit by a falling tree branch. Richards' pet kangaroo Lulu then began barking frantically until Richards' wife came to investigate. She found her husband lying unconscious under a tree about 200 meters from their home, guarded by the kangaroo. Richards was taken to a nearby hospital to be treated for minor head injuries. If the animal had not signaled for help, Mr. Richards' injuries may have led to a more serious medical condition or even death.

Lulu was reared by Richards, who rescued her from her mother's pouch and fed her on bottled milk after the mother was killed by a car over four years ago.

On May 19, 2004, at an official ceremony, Mr. Richards received the Animal Valor Award from Australia's Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) on Lulu's behalf, in recognition of the kangaroo's heroic deed.

For more details, please visit Lulu's website:
www.luluthekangaroo.com.au