Kangaroo on the loose in Tuscaloosa County; public warned not to approach
Tuscaloosa County Animal Control is teaming with Bigham Farms and Exotics to try and track down a kangaroo on the loose somewhere in the county. The kangaroo was last seen Tuesday morning around Rose Boulevard, headed in the direction of U.S. Highway 82.
Sheriff's deputies warn people not to go near the wild animal, but instead call 911, the Sheriff's Office at 205-752-0616, or other local law enforcement.
"Do not try to approach it," said Deputy Martha Hocutt. "These are wild animals; these are not the cute little fuzzies. They can hurt you; kangaroos can hurt you.
"We don't know what food and water source he has had, so that can make him a little more dangerous."
The Sheriff's Office is also seeking the owner — the kangaroo did not escape from Bigham Farms — to provide more information, to help them safely rescue the marsupial, which is indigenous to Australia and New Guinea. They could use assistance in how to approach the kangaroo, which is likely starved and possibly dehydrated, making it even more dangerous.
"I had really rather not learn hands-on," said Hocutt, who has been studying kangaroo knowledge since reports first came in Monday. "They have really sharp claws. They will kick, and they will cut you up."
She reiterates that well-meaning animal lovers should definitely not try to leave out water or food, but simply contact authorities if they see the kangaroo, or have more information.
And the owner's name will not be made public by the Sheriff's Office; they simply wish to get more information to help.
"If someone would call us and let us know, if we could get some details about the animal to help it, we won't put that out on Facebook, or whatever," Hocutt said.
"Our main job is to help the animals, and protect the public at the same time."
Any capture knowledge would be helpful, especially in the future, she added.
"Kangaroos are very good at escape, from what I have learned today," she said.
Normally, animal control would not handle exotic animals — wild, non-native, difficult to obtain — and a kangaroo is definitely an exotic in Alabama.
"But who else do you call?" Hocutt said. The sheriff's deputies have contacted the Bighams, who've agreed to help with apprehension, should the kangaroo be located.
Despite the rarity, kangaroos actually have been spotted around here before, more than you might think, the deputy said.
"There's an exotic livestock sale about every three or four months, and people buy these things," she said. "Last year there was one loose in Winfield for about four days.
"They're not as common as the normal livestock, but I wasn't shocked to hear that we had a kangaroo."
The Winfield kangaroo, named Jack, was successfully and safely re-captured March 3, 2021, by owner Braxton Basinger, on the corner of Alabama Highway 63 and County Road 129 in Winfield. Basinger roped Jack while a friend tackled the animal. The owner reported no one was hurt in the process.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Kangaroo on the loose in Tuscaloosa County; do not approach
