Graham and Gillian Rose with the kangaroo picked up in Pakenham on Monday. The native icon was later set free in Maryknoll. Pictures: Meagan Trotter.A KANGAROO that created a stir in Pakenham is again free to run wild.
The native animal sparked a major hunt on Monday after it was seen in Main Street and elsewhere around the town, prompting fears for its safety, particularly crossing busy roads.
Police and wildlife experts joined residents in the search for the kangaroo which initially had the jump on its wouldbe rescuers but was eventually captured in the front yard of a house in Snodgrass Street.
An adult male Eastern Grey, the kangaroo was relocated to bushland around Maryknoll and later set free.
Pakenham police Sergeant Stuart Halligan said the unusual visitor had led its rescuers a merry chase.
“It had been on the loose around town and it was one of those goodluck stories that we were able to capture it without harm,” he said.
“These things happen from time to time, but normally we get the call after the animal has sadly been struck on the highway.”
Sgt Halligan said the kangaroo was initially sighted in McGregor Road and was also reported to have been seen in the Pakenham Plaza carpark, before heading up Rogers Street, over the former Pakenham Consolidated School site and into Snodgrass Street.
“We had various reports from residents who had seen it in their streets and with the help of some good neighbours we were able to catch up with it successfully,” he said.
The kangaroo was transported to Graham and Gillian Rose’s property in Maryknoll. Mr Rose breeds deer and kangaroos and set it free yesterday.
“You get the odd one finding its way into town but it’s a bit unusual,” Mr Rose said.
“It would be a while since there’s been a kangaroo in the Main Street.”
Paul Dunlop
