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Offbeat

Escaped kangaroo hops into Florida apartment complex

Prompting unusual emergency response

APB Team Published February 25, 2024 @ 3:00 pm PST

Hillsborough County S.O.
Hillsborough County S.O.

Police in Tampa, Florida, recently responded to a strange 9-1-1 call from residents of an apartment complex after they spotted a presumably escaped kangaroo hopping around on the premises.

A kangaroo, a creature more commonly associated with the vast Australian outback, was captured on aerial night vision footage navigating its way around a pool area in the early hours of February 8.

The encounter led one shocked resident to dial 9-1-1 to report the presence of the marsupial.

The audio of the call was released by the authorities, showcasing the comical exchange between the caller and the dispatcher.

“9-1-1, do you need police, fire or medical?” inquired the dispatcher, to which the caller responded: “I guess police, because there’s a kangaroo in my apartment complex.”

Describing the situation, the dispatcher can be heard updating other emergency responders, stating: “It’s kind of a large kangaroo — we’ve got it closed into the pool gated area.”

The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office immediately responded to the call, deploying deputies to the scene to address the unexpected visitor.

Utilizing their expertise, law enforcement personnel were successful in trapping the kangaroo within the confines of the apartment complex’s pool area.

In a statement shared on Facebook, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office detailed the resolution of the peculiar incident, revealing that their agriculture unit played a pivotal role in reuniting the kangaroo with its rightful owner.

The authorities confirmed that the kangaroo’s ownership was duly registered and verified, ensuring its lawful presence in the area.

While the circumstances surrounding the kangaroo’s unexpected appearance remain unclear, it was noted that keeping kangaroos as pets is permitted in Florida with the appropriate permits.

Reportedly named “Hopper,” the kangaroo was safely returned to its owner’s custody following the incident.

Commenting on the incident, a Facebook user humorously remarked: “Great shots of the roo … Glad it didn’t try to resist arrest by boxing its way out.”

Kangaroos, renowned for their distinctive hopping gait and native to the Australian continent, can reach heights of almost six feet and weigh nearly 200 pounds.

It turns out kangaroos are one of the more likely pets to make escapes, presumably due to their jumping abilities.

Police in Texas were called to make a similar kangaroo arrest a few years ago.

Categories: Offbeat Tags: 911 call, pool, Tampa, Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, escaped Kangaroo, wildlife encounter, hopper, marsupial, animal capture, Florida

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