source: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-01-13/uk-journalist-pranked-into-holding-a-drop-bear-during-bushfires/11863942

When a Scottish journalist was asked if she wanted to hold an elusive Australian "drop bear" during the Kangaroo Island bushfire crisis, she jumped at the chance — falling for the prank "hook, line and sinker".

ITV News Asia correspondent Debi Edward, was covering the ongoing bushfire situation on the island, when her freelance camera operator decided to add a little light humour amid the confronting news.

Freelance video producer Sean Mulcahy, Army reservist veterinarian Garnett Hall and Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park owner Sam Mitchell pulled off the prank, which has gone viral on social media.

She even donned the "protective drop bear clothing" — which was a motocross outfit worn backwards, along with welding gloves, boots and goggles.

"She looked like a Ninja Turtle," Mr Mulcahy told ABC News.

"At one point, we were going to tell her that you can stop them going for the neck if you put some Vegemite behind your ears. She would have gone with that as well, but I couldn't do it in good conscience."

He said Ms Edwards was "mortified" when he told her he had posted the video to social media, but she "copped it on the chin for the team" to help the fundraising effort after seeing the devastation the fire had caused to the island.

In his post he said, "In times of tragedy and incessant misery, sometimes humour is the best medicine".