Lost Aussie

By Bill Novak
January 5, 2005
The wanderin' roo is coming to the zoo!

The 150-pound red kangaroo, who startled Iowa County drivers along U.S. 18-151 near Dodgeville, has been captured and is being taken to the Henry Vilas Zoo in Madison.

Zoo Director Jim Hubing told The Capital Times before noon today that three zoo staff members were sent to a farm near Dodgeville this morning to get the animal.

"We'll keep him here in quarantine," Hubing said. "He appears to be in pretty good shape."

Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk said the best kangaroo keepers are on the job and will hop to it.

"Kangaroo rescue is not an everyday challenge, but we have the best folks to do the job," she said.

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According to the Iowa County Sheriff's Department, the kangaroo, who had made news Tuesday after being seen by motorists, was spotted again this morning in a field near Dodgeville. A local fire department was called and the fire personnel were able to circle the kangaroo and direct him into a large barn.

"He's in custody and seems to be OK," Deputy Sheriff Jim Harrington said.

Harrington was vague regarding the exact location of where the kangaroo was captured.

"We're trying to keep as many people away as possible," he said.

The roo was in custody but it isn't known if he's going to face any charges, such as escape, general mischief, highway hopping or whatever.

"He's not under arrest," Harrington said. "But we haven't searched the pouch."

Vilas Zoo veterinarian Dr. Mike Peterson, education curator Rick Bilkey and general curator Jeff Stafford drove over to Dodgeville to pick up the wayward Aussie.

Hubing said it's important for the kangaroo to get proper shelter in winter.

"It can get cold in central Australia where this kangaroo would come from, but not like this," Hubing said. "This is a pretty harsh climate for him."

The red kangaroo was first spotted Monday night. It wasn't known who the owner is.

The Vilas Zoo has six kangaroos, including red ones. Zoo staff members will keep the kangaroo and take care of his medical needs, something the zoo staff does pretty regularly for animals brought in.

"We have two bald eagles and a golden eagle right now that were brought in from a rehab facility," Hubing said.

For anyone from the Dodgeville area who may have misplaced the kangaroo, the Vilas Zoo phone number is 266-4732.

E-mail: bnovak@madison.com