SALINE COUNTY, Missouri —On October 3, an event held at the Saline County Fairgrounds included a petting zoo for children. One of the animals featured at the petting zoo was a kangaroo.
During the event, a child exited the kangaroo enclosure and inadvertently left the gate unsecured, allowing the kangaroo to escape, according to the Saline County, Missouri Sheriff.
On Sunday, October 4, a citizen saw the kangaroo and contacted authorities. The citizen maintained visual contact with the animal until officers with the Marshall Police Department and the Marshall Animal Control Officer arrived. While MPD personnel were on scene, another citizen with prior experience raising and handling exotic animals arrived and offered assistance. The citizen assisted officers and the Animal Control Officer in safely capturing the kangaroo.
The kangaroo was safely captured without incident and returned to its owners, who reside in Warrensburg, Missouri.
The Marshall Police Department thanked the citizen who located the kangaroo and remained in the area until authorities arrived, as well as the citizen with experience handling exotic animals who assisted officers and Animal Control personnel at the scene. Their assistance and cooperation helped bring this unusual situation to a safe conclusion.