Tuskegee, Ala. — State troopers and animal owners fought over whimsical marsupials after a kangaroo named Sheila closed its Alabama interstate on Tuesday.
Alabama law enforcement said the kangaroo was found hopping along the side of Macon County Interstate 85 between Montgomery and Auburn on Tuesday.
Eyes narrated traffic and state troopers closed both sides of the interstate for driver safety. Alabama Law Enforcement Colonel Jeremy J. Burkett said the animal owner and troopers were able to capture it.
“Of course, when I said there was a kangaroo, of course I didn’t believe it, and no one believed it, but I’m watching him,” Macon County Sheriff Andre Branson said in a live Facebook video when the animals were captured.
Owners used darts to sedate the animals.
Branson’s video shows a drug kangaroo being taken to the car and returned to his home. The animal was captured on the side of the interstate highway between Tuskegee and Auburn, the sheriff said.
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“You can see a bit of everything here,” the sheriff said.
The animal owner, Patrick Starr, told The Associated Press that the animal was named Sheila and that she fled the enclosure.
“She’s safely back home. She’s awake. She’s not sedated anymore. She’s eating. She’s drinking. She’s not injured,” Starr said.
Kangaroos were treated by Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine, he said.
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 happy she’s back home. I’m happy everyone is getting a little late,” he said.
Austin Price, who filmed video of animals jumping off the interstate, said he had to easily question whether he was watching things.
“I can hear my grandmother scream, ‘Is that a kangaroo?” Price said.
He thought it was probably a deer until he saw it. “Yeah, that’s a kangaroo.”
