Wandering wallaby captured near Carlisle
http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/wandering_wallaby_captured_near_carlisle
Strewth mate! Am I in the Australian outback or the Cumbrian countryside?
This wandering wallaby looked as though it had taken a wrong turn somewhere north of Queensland as it roamed grassland near Carlisle yesterday.
A group of cyclists were stunned when they spotted the marsupial while they were out on a regular run near Rockcliffe, north of the city.
Bob Pattni, one of the four-strong group from Carlisle Cycling, said they had to take action to warn cars on both sides of the road near the busy village to take extra care and travel at slow speeds.
Police were informed and arrived to take control of the situation before the cyclists could continue on their journey.
A Cumbria police spokesman confirmed today that there were in fact TWO sightings of the wallaby on the road between Rockcliffe and Cargo this weekend – the first being at about 11pm on Saturday.
He said: “Police attended and the wallaby was returned to its pen. It is owned by a local.”
On the second report – at about 11am yesterday – the spokesman added: “The owners themselves went to locate it. It was in a field this time.”
Wallabies are generally described as being smaller kangaroos and Cumbria’s climate is far removed from that in which the animals generally live in.
They are normally found across Australia, particularly in more remote, heavily timbered, or rugged areas. They are also widespread in New Zealand, where they are often hunted.
There are thought to be a few populations of wallabies in the British Isles, all of which have escaped from zoos. The largest colony is understood to be on the Isle of Man, where there is a breeding colony of about 100.
Login
Register
FAQ
