Mystery after rare Aussie animal found 14,000km from home

News.com.au

01-05-2025

A rare Australian animal has been found a long way from home in a bizarre discovery made 14,00km away from its natural habitat.
The albino wallaby was found sporting injuries in near Dover, the English coastal town famous for its white cliffs, at the weekend.
It is believed the animal, dubbed Skippy, was an exotic pet that escaped last week after kicking its way through a fence.
Albino wallabies are not endangered but are considered rare, with estimates putting the chances of the genetic mutation between one in 17,000 and one in 100,000.
The iconic Australian native was captured on Friday, UK time, before escaping again and being spotted by a local in undergrowth in Hougham, Kent two days later.
RSPCA animal rescue officer Wayne Baker told the BBC that Skippy needed veterinary treatment and was being kept until its owner came forward.
'This poor wallaby wasn't in the best of health when we found him,' he said.
'He was sitting in some bushes when he was spotted by a member of the public at around 10.30am on Sunday.
'He had blood on his nose and back legs.
'He must have been sitting there for a couple of hours. I gave him some water but it was clear he needed veterinary attention.'
Authorities are investigating not only how the animal escaped twice but also how it is being kept by its mystery owner.
Mr Baker said the RSPCA wanted to speak to the animal's owner, and had 14 days to reclaim Skippy.
'If the owner doesn't come forward within 14 days then we will rehome the animal into a suitable environment,' he said.
Skippy had been spotted hopping around the local area in the two days it was on the loose, according to local media in Kent.
It had been first captured by staff at Wingham Wildlife Park, whose curator Markus Wilder said it took four people to secure the 60cm tall animal.
'It's never particularly pretty because they're such powerful animals and they're all muscle so it always looks quite hectic,' he said.
'The easiest way, and thankfully that's what we were able to do this time, is with a very sturdy net.'
Mr Baker told Kent Online it was 'odd' that Skippy managed to escape a second time given it had been in the care of the wildlife park.
'Apparently, the wildlife park didn't have room to accommodate and used a foster carer, but we've heard someone claiming to be an owner then got involved,' he said.
There are some wallabies living in the British countryside after first being imported by zoos in the early 20th century.
Red-necked wallabies have established a self-sustaining population on the uninhabited isle of Inchconnachan, Scotland, after being introduced by the Countess of Arran around World War II.
Nottingham's legendary Sherwood Forest – home to Robin Hood – is also the site of multiple wallaby sightings.