How does a kangaroo break out of a petting zoo? No, it’s not the setup for a joke. In the case of Chesney the kangaroo, it involved scaling an eight-foot (2.5 meters) fence and embarking on a three-day adventure that kept his caretaker on edge and had a small Wisconsin town rallying to bring him back safely by Saturday.
Chesney’s unexpected escape from Sunshine Farm in Necedah, Wisconsin, was set off by a couple of stray dogs that startled the 16-month-old kangaroo, explained his caretaker, Debbie Marland. This prompted Marland and her friends to scour the area around the town, which is situated roughly 160 miles (255 kilometers) northwest of Milwaukee.
As they pursued tips from locals who had spotted the elusive kangaroo, they even deployed heat-sensing drones to track down the nimble fugitive.
“I was clocking in around 37,000 steps a day during the search,” Marland shared on Sunday. “I haven’t had such a workout in ages.”
Chesney, along with another kangaroo named Kenny, pays tribute to the country music star Kenny Chesney. They are part of a menagerie at Sunshine Farm that includes 25 animals such as horses, sheep, alpacas, Kunekune pigs, Highland cows, and a Bactrian camel. The farm opens its doors to the public from mid-May to mid-November on weekends, offering tours where visitors can interact with the animals.
Chesney and his roommate Kenny are named for country-music star Kenny Chesney. They’re among 25 animals at Sunshine Farm, with horses, sheep, alpacas, Kunekune pigs, Highland cows and a Bactrian camel. The farm is generally open Fridays through Sundays from mid-May through mid-November and tours are offered to visitors who can interact with the animals.
Chesney escaped about 11:15 a.m. last Wednesday. Though he stayed within a three-mile (5-kilometer) radius of the farm, he kept his pursuers guessing. According to Marland’s friend, Stacy Brereton, who helps out at the farm routinely, Friday was a tough day. No one had spotted Chesney all day and searchers feared he had wandered farther afield into even more unfamiliar territory, Brereton said.
Then, Friday night, Chesney was discovered nestled under a tree in a wooded area. A group of searchers surrounded him, but ever fleet of foot — 20 mph (32 kph) is no stretch for him — Chesney eluded them.
Marland returned to the area Saturday morning with Chesney’s favorite treats and pieces of material that had his and Kenny’s scent. Other searchers later joined her. But with no sign of the kangaroo, they started packing up. Just then, they spotted the long-eared kangaroo with outsize back legs approaching.
Brereton stepped up with a delicate touch.
“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 said. “I just stayed calm with him and I just kind of went and sat and let him come to me.”
Chesney heard the voices and wanted attention, said Brereton, who eventually scooped up the 40-pound (18-kilogram) animal.
“I do believe he heard our comforting voices, he smelled the familiar smells of home and it just made him feel safe,” said Brereton, adding, “I’m just glad he loves me as much as I love him.”
Marland said the “the community really did come together” for the kangaroo, who is now something of a celebrity. A Sunshine Farm fan has written a children’s book about Chesney’s adventures, which Marland hopes to publish and sell to recoup some of the search costs.
Kenny, who with his marsupial mate has the run of Marland’s house, was happy to be reunited with Chesney. Though hungry and tired, Chesney was otherwise healthy but will get a checkup with the veterinarian shortly.
To be safe, Marland added, a new mesh top will be placed over the kangaroo enclosure to prevent any more high-jumping hijinks.
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