NECEDAH − Kangaroos aren’t normally seen hopping around central Wisconsin, but Debbie Marland is hoping someone has seen her kangaroo and will help her get him home.
Marland owns Sunshine Farm petting zoo in Necedah. At 11:15 a.m. March 25, her two kangaroos were outside in an enclosure when a couple of unknown dogs approached the enclosure and began barking intensely, Marland said. One of the kangaroos, named Chesney, became frightened, scaled the enclosure wall and hopped over the fence.
The kangaroos are usually kept in the house and are part of the family, Marland said. She also has five dogs and Chesney is not afraid of them, she said.
Marland is working with drone experts to search the area for Chesney. The drone spotted the kangaroo at about 8:30 p.m. March 25. The light from the drone appeared to have spooked the kangaroo and he took off, Marland said. Chesney went through some water, got soaked and the infrared camera on the drone wouldn’t pick the kangaroo up anymore, she said.
Someone spotted Chesney again at about 8 a.m. March 26, but, by the time, Marland got the message, Chesney had taken off.
Kangaroos can move about 20-25 mph, so Chesney could travel a long way from home. Marland is hoping to get Chesney back before the evening of March 26 because temperatures are predicted to get down into the 20s and kangaroos don’t do well in cold weather.
“I’ve got to find him,” Marland said.
Chesney has been favoring open areas, Marland said. The kangaroo will avoid marsh lands and other wet areas. Chesney is not full grown yet, weighing about 40 pounds. He is a young kangaroo, about 16 months old. Pictures of Chesney standing up make him look much taller than he normally would be hunched over, Marland said.
Marland asks that anyone who sees Chesney call her at 773-682-8042. She asks people not to approach Chesney because the kangaroo is scared and out of his normal environment. If a stranger approaches Chesney, he is likely to become frightened and run away. People can also go to the Sunshine Farm – Necedah Facebook page and leave a message, Marland said.
“They bring so much joy and love to the community,” Marland said. “They’re wonderful animals.”
Marland said she travels all over with Chesney and his brother. They go to a nursing home every week as well.
“They’re more like a therapy dog,” Marland said. “We go into an enclosed room and go up to people and let them hold them, if they’re medically able.”
Contact Karen Madden kmadden@usatodayco.com. Follow her on Twitter @KMadden715, Instagram @kmadden715 or Facebook at www.facebook.com/karen.madden.33.
This article originally appeared on Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune: Necedah petting zoo owner looking for missing kangaroo named Chesney
Reporting by Karen Madden, USA TODAY NETWORK – Wisconsin / Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune
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