White wallaby rescued from Kent roadside and returned to owner
Kent Police reunited the marsupial with its owner after it was found on Trolling Down Hill in Dartford; researchers say wallabies can survive in the UK climate.
A white wallaby found on the side of a road in Dartford, Kent, on Friday morning was rescued and reunited with its owner after being located by Kent Police, the force said.
Officers were called to Trolling Down Hill at about 09:30 BST after a member of the public reported the animal in the area. Police said officers attended to ensure the safety of road users and of the animal; enquiries were completed and the wallaby was safely reunited with its owner shortly after 10:00.
Wallabies are native to Australia and nearby islands and are members of the macropod family of marsupials, along with kangaroos. They are typically small to medium-sized, with powerful hind legs used for bounding at high speeds and jumping long distances.
A 2020 research paper by Holly M. English of University College Dublin and Anthony Caravaggi of the University of South Wales examined records of wallabies in the United Kingdom. The authors concluded that wallabies were likely first brought to the UK for zoos and private collections in the late 19th century and that some may have been released into the countryside during the two world wars when keepers were unable to look after them.
Helen Pearson, head of animal studies at Suffolk Rural, which keeps wallabies, said the animals could survive "quite well" in the UK. "They live in shrubland out there, so as much as you think Australia is quite hot, they cope quite well in our climate," she said, adding that they are "really hardy animals."
Incidents of non-native species being kept or appearing in the British countryside have prompted occasional interest from the public and researchers studying how introduced animals adapt to new environments. In this case, Kent Police said the matter was resolved quickly and there was no public safety concern once the wallaby was secured and returned to its owner.
The swift response highlights routine procedures for dealing with stray or unusual animals found on roadways: ensuring human safety, securing the animal where possible, and following up to reunite it with its keeper. Authorities did not report any injuries to the animal or to members of the public in this incident.