A young kangaroo’s daring escape from a Wisconsin petting zoo turned into a three-day adventure that had an entire community searching for the furry fugitive.
Chesney, a 16-month-old kangaroo at Sunshine Farm in Necedah, Wisconsin, made his break for freedom last Wednesday morning around 11:15 a.m. The escape happened when loose dogs frightened the young marsupial, prompting him to bound over an eight-foot barrier surrounding his habitat, according to his caretaker Debbie Marland.
What followed was an exhaustive search effort covering the area roughly 160 miles northwest of Milwaukee. Marland and her team of helpers scoured the countryside, following up on reported sightings and even deploying thermal-imaging drones to track the escaped animal.
“I was putting on about 37,000 steps per day looking for him,” Marland shared on Sunday. “I haven’t done so much exercise in a very long time.”
Chesney, who shares his name with country music performer Kenny Chesney along with his companion Kenny, remained within a three-mile area around the farm but proved elusive to capture. The facility houses 25 different animals including horses, sheep, alpacas, Kunekune pigs, Highland cattle, and a Bactrian camel, welcoming visitors on weekends from mid-May through mid-November.
Friday brought particular anxiety for the search team. Farm volunteer Stacy Brereton explained that no one had seen any trace of Chesney throughout the day, raising concerns he might have traveled into unfamiliar territory beyond their search zone.
Hope returned Friday evening when searchers located Chesney resting beneath a tree in a forested section. However, the athletic marsupial – capable of reaching speeds up to 20 mph – managed to evade capture once again when the group attempted to surround him.
Saturday morning brought a breakthrough when Marland returned to the woods carrying Chesney’s preferred snacks and fabric items carrying familiar scents from home. Additional volunteers joined the effort, but as the day progressed without success, the team began preparing to leave.
That’s when Chesney appeared, walking calmly toward the group.
Brereton took charge of the delicate reunion moment.
“He had a very calm attitude when he walked up, obviously you could tell he wasn’t in fight-or-flight mode, so I just went with that,” Brereton explained. “I just stayed calm with him and I just kind of went and sat and let him come to me.”
The approach worked perfectly. Chesney responded to the familiar voices and seemed to seek human interaction, allowing Brereton to eventually lift the 40-pound animal to safety.
“I do believe he heard our comforting voices, he smelled the familiar smells of home and it just made him feel safe,” Brereton said, adding, “I’m just glad he loves me as much as I love him.”
The ordeal brought the local community together in support of the search efforts, Marland noted, and has turned Chesney into something of a local celebrity. One supporter has even authored a children’s book about the kangaroo’s escapade, which Marland hopes to publish and sell to help offset search expenses.
Back home, Chesney was welcomed by his housemate Kenny – both kangaroos have free access to Marland’s residence. Despite being hungry and exhausted from his outdoor adventure, Chesney appeared in good health, though a veterinary examination is planned as a precaution.
To prevent future escapes, Marland announced plans to install mesh covering over the kangaroo enclosure, ensuring no more high-jumping adventures.
