Sheila the pet kangaroo shuts down Alabama highway after escaping owners’ enclosure
Drivers have screeched to a halt in wonderment and watched on as a kangaroo bounded past their cars on a major US highway.
The everyday occurrence for many Australians was greeted with amazement and wonder by locals in Alabama, as Sheila the kangaroo sprang down the side of the road.
Local news stations covered the unusual sighting and took statements from state troopers who were called to manage the scene, as drivers pulled over to film and witness the rogue marsupial’s journey.
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The sight snarled traffic with the local police shutting down both sides of the interstate highway for the safety of motorists.
“When somebody said there was a kangaroo of course I didn’t believe it, and nobody believed it. But I’m looking at him,” Macon County Sheriff Andre Brunson said in a Facebook live video as the animal was captured.
The owner used a dart to tranquilise the animal and she was rescued without injury or incident local authorities confirmed.
Sheila was captured on the side of the interstate between Tuskegee and Auburn the state troopers added.
“We see a little bit of everything here.”
The animal’s owner, Patrick Starr, told The Associated Press the animal’s name is Sheila and she escaped from her enclosure.
“She’s back home safe. She’s up. She’s not sedated anymore. She’s eating. She’s drinking. She’s not injured,” Mr Starr said.
“The kangaroo was treated by the Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine.
“The family runs a pumpkin patch and petting zoo, but Sheila is just a personal pet,” Starr said.
“She’s a sweet pet. I’m glad she’s back home, and I’m glad everybody slowed down a little bit.”
Austin Price, who took video of the animal hopping down the interstate, said he had to briefly question if he was seeing things.
“I hear my grandmother yell, ‘Is that a kangaroo?’ “ Price said.
After assuming it was probably a deer he then looked and said, “Yeah, it’s a kangaroo.”
With AAP.
