Runaway Roo: Escaped kangaroo shuts down Alabama interstate
MACON COUNTY, Ala. (WRBL) — Drivers along Interstate 85 in Alabama got quite the surprise Tuesday morning: a kangaroo casually hopping down the highway.
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said the kangaroo was spotted Tuesday hopping along the side of Interstate 85 in Macon County, located between Montgomery and Auburn.
The sight snarled traffic, and state troopers shut down both sides of the interstate for the safety of motorists.
The animal's owner and troopers were able to capture it, said Capt. Jeremy J. Burkett, of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.
“When somebody said there was a kangaroo, of course, I didn't believe it, and nobody believed it. But I'm looking at him,” Macon County Sheriff Andre Brunson said in a Facebook live video as the animal was captured.
Denver VanDeventer, who captured video of the kangaroo on I-85, told Nexstar's WRBL that the sight caught him off guard.
“I was actually on my way back from a work inspection, driving down I-85, when everyone suddenly started slamming on their brakes,” VanDeventer said. “There were multiple law enforcement vehicles with lights on, and even a Game and Fish truck. I had no idea what was going on, so I slowed down and came to a stop.
"Then, as the cars in front of me started moving again, I looked up to go — and that’s when I saw it. I said, ‘Oh, that’s a kangaroo,’ and hit the brakes again. I followed it at about five miles an hour and got the video.”
The adventurous marsupial, named Sheila, belongs to Patrick Starr, who said she was safely tranquilized with a dart and returned to her enclosure.
Brunson’s video showed the drugged kangaroo being carried to a vehicle to be returned to its home. The animal was captured on the side of the interstate between Tuskegee and Auburn, the sheriff said.
Starr told WRBL that the kangaroo escaped from her enclosure just before sunrise.
According to Alabama State Troopers, a minor two-vehicle crash involving the kangaroo occurred around 11:50 a.m. Tuesday on I-85 near mile marker 46 in Macon County. State Troopers say the minor crash happened when vehicles slowed down to avoid the animal. Fortunately, no one was hurt. Both southbound and northbound lanes were temporarily closed as ALEA Troopers and the kangaroo’s owner recovered the animal.
Starr said a team of Auburn University College veterinarians was treating Sheila and that she was awake and munching on hay. Starr added that she’s doing fine — no injuries, just a bit more famous than before.
“She’s well, she’s safe, and she’s grounded,” said Starr. “I’m so thankful to everyone who slowed down and made sure she didn’t get hurt. So glad everyone is safe.”
The family runs a pumpkin patch and petting zoo, but Sheila is just a personal pet, Starr said.
"She's a sweet pet. I'm glad she's back home, and I'm glad everybody slowed down a little bit," he said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.