Pet Kangaroo Sheila Causes Chaos on U.S. Highway After Breaking Free from Bikini Bottom Zoo | Carscoops

      Thankfully, there were no injuries when two vehicles collided.

      11 hours ago

      by Brad Anderson

      Patrick Starr, a resident of Alabama, has a pet kangaroo named Sheila.

      He needed to tranquilize the Australian native to stop her from escaping.

      Traffic came to a complete halt as local authorities chased after the animal.

      Authorities in Alabama were compelled to close a major highway after a kangaroo escaped from a nearby farm, leading to a two-car accident. While Australians might not bat an eye at the sight of these hopping marsupials, encountering one bouncing down the highway in Alabama is quite puzzling.

      The kangaroo, named Sheila by her owner, typically resides in an enclosure where Patrick Starr and his family operate a pumpkin patch and petting zoo. Details on how she managed to escape remain unknown, but she appeared eager to explore the outdoors, enjoying the Alabama wilderness and imagining what life would be like living freely in her native land (Ed’s note: Do kangaroos possess imagination? I have no idea, but still..)

      Read: VW’s Kangaroo-Repellent Badge Sounds Too Good To Be True

      According to ABC News, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency received a report of the escape as Sheila hopped down Interstate 85. Her presence led to a two-car collision, but thankfully, no injuries occurred.

      Authorities shut down both the northbound and southbound lanes of the interstate. Starr was ultimately able to catch up with Sheila and tranquilize her before bringing her back home.

      “She’s back home safe. She’s awake. She’s not sedated anymore. She’s eating and drinking. She hasn’t been injured,” Starr remarked. “She’s a sweet pet. I’m relieved she’s back home, and I’m glad everyone slowed down a little.”

      Kangaroos in Captivity? Not So Sweet

      While Starr views Sheila as a “sweet pet,” opinions differ. The Humane World for Animals organization raises concerns about keeping kangaroos in captivity.

      “Kangaroos are strong, powerful animals, and alongside wallabies (a close relative), they have been involved in at least 74 recorded escapes since 2010, leading to at least 17 animal fatalities,” they stated to People.

      Fun fact: There are approximately 35 million kangaroos residing in Australia, which means there are about 9 million more kangaroos than people living Down Under. After Sheila’s antics, we hope Australians who keep kangaroos as pets (if permissible) are extra cautious to prevent escapes, as they could lead to significant trouble.