In an unusual turn of events, residents of St. Cloud, Florida, were somewhat surprised on Monday afternoon when a kangaroo was spotted hopping along Hickory Tree Road, a busy thoroughfare in Osceola County. The sighting prompted the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to leap into action leading to the safe capture of the marsupial and filing charges subsequent charges against its owner.
The Unlikely Sight
Around 5 p.m. on May 5, multiple calls flooded into the FWC reporting a kangaroo on the lam. One local resident, Kaila Mullins, managed to capture video footage of the animal lingering on the road before it disappeared into nearby farmland. The video, shared with FOX 35 Orlando, quickly gained attention on social media platforms.
“It’s so sad… because it’s probably, you know, lost,” nearby resident Lenny Stack told FOX 35 News, expressing concern for the animal’s safety amid heavy traffic.
The Capture
FWC dispatched a Captive Wildlife Investigator to the area, who, with assistance from a licensed kangaroo facility owner, located the animal about an hour later calmly hiding in a wooded area. To ensure the safety of both the animal and the public, officials chemically immobilized the kangaroo before transporting it to a local facility equipped to house such wildlife. A veterinarian later confirmed the animal was in good health.
The kangaroo, identified as a healthy male red kangaroo approximately a year and a half old, had escaped from a private owner. The 27-year-old owner is now facing several charges for lacking the proper permits required to keep such wildlife. In Florida, kangaroos are classified as Class III wildlife, necessitating a permit for legal ownership. The FWC is currently investigating the circumstances of the escape and has not disclosed details regarding the specific charges.
Kangaroo Safe, Owner Charged
Fox 35 News reported yesterday that the kangaroo, affectionately nicknamed “Hickory” after the road where it was found, is currently residing at the Amazing Animals Wildlife Preserve in St. Cloud. The facility is providing care for the animal while authorities determine the appropriate course of action regarding its permanent placement. The kangaroo will remain at the reserve until the owner’s enclosure is brought up to code, ensuring the animal’s safety and compliance with state regulations.
The incident has sparked a mix of amusement and concern among local residents. While some found the sight of a kangaroo hopping through their neighborhood surreal, others raised questions about the legality and ethics of keeping exotic animals as pets.
The FWC encourages anyone with information about the kangaroo’s owner or other escaped wildlife to contact their Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC.
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