‘Animal hero’ rescues and rehabilitates two-legged huntsman

Nathalie Fernbach and Jessica Naunton
Jul 31, 2020, updated Jul 31, 2020

After a month in Elina Walsh's care, Peggy was able to regrow her six missing legs. Photo: Elina Walsh

Townsville resident Elina Walsh has been recognised by animal rights group PETA Australia for her efforts in rescuing and rehabilitating an injured huntsman spider.

Ms Walsh was recognised with a Hero To Animals award after she hand-fed the spider (nicknamed ‘Peggy’) for a month, while it grew its legs back.

Ms Walsh found the creature emaciated, dehydrated, and with just two legs and suspected the arachnid had been attacked by a gecko or a bird.

Initially my thought was she wasn’t going to make it and I considered putting her out of her misery,” Ms Walsh said.

Peggy drinking from water-soaked cotton wool. Ms Walsh says the spider was very dehydrated when it was found.
Photo: Instagram/Peggy.The.2Leggy

“I did a quick Google search and found out that spiders can in fact regrow legs, so I thought I would give it a go.

“I am a huge animal lover, normally huntsmen aren’t my favourite choice of animal but I kind of felt sorry for her and tried to help her out.”

Growing six legs in a month

Ms Walsh spent a month feeding the spider small cockroaches with tweezers, in that time the spider was able to regrow six smaller legs which became visible and functional after a moult.

Ms Walsh has a pet tarantula and scorpion and had an idea of how to feed the huntsman.

She plans to keep Peggy in her care until the spider has one more moult and her new legs are more robust.

“Now that she has got her legs back she is able to hunt quite well on her own, but the ones that have regrown are quite a bit smaller,” Ms Walsh said.

“With her next moult she should have full-sized legs again and I will be quite happy to release her outside.”

Elina Walsh says the PETA Australia recognition and public interest in Peggy was unexpected. Photo: Elina Walsh

PETA said there was no nomination process for its Hero To Animals awards.

PETA spokesperson Emily Rice said the organisation saw a Facebook post about Ms Walsh’s efforts and wanted to recognise her compassion.

“We take our hats off to this compassionate woman who displayed great care and respect for Peggy and went above and beyond to save her life,” Ms Rice said.

Ms Walsh said the recognition from PETA Australia was unexpected but she is pleased that so many people have taken an interest in the spider’s recovery.