Drone Aids Search for Escaped Wallaby in New Jersey

In New Jersey, authorities are on a mission to locate a runaway wallaby named Rex, who escaped from an animal sanctuary on Monday night. The animal, which is three years old, made its way out after a gate was carelessly left unlatched overnight at Lot of Love Farm, located in Williamstown.

Fortunately, Rex was spotted the following morning in a Walmart parking lot, roughly eight miles away from the sanctuary.

Sue Layden, co-owner of the farm, shared that Rex has been part of their family for several years and described the wallaby, along with another resident named Romaine Lettuce, as having a fondness for humans. She humorously referred to Rex as a “miniature kangaroo,” highlighting his impressive ability to leap nearly ten feet and sprint at 35 miles per hour.

“They really do jump around a lot,” Layden remarked. She pointed out that in the wild, wallabies often flee from threats, which can sometimes be startling for onlookers. “A stranger might scream, ‘Oh my God!'” she added.

Wallabies, which are similar to kangaroos, are native to Australia and nearby islands.

Layden expressed optimism that Rex would eventually return, noting that he enjoys socializing with people. “He might wander through the forest, but I don’t think he truly wants to be away from home,” she reflected. “He loves the attention here.” The plan is to patiently wait for him to come back, ready to welcome him when he’s nearby.

Describing Rex, Layden affectionately called him “adorable” and likened his personality to a stuffed toy that interacts like a marsupial. But she also added a note of caution: “If you corner them in the wild, they can defend themselves aggressively,” which might involve a swift punch.

Meanwhile, a drone search team has joined the efforts to find Rex, and Layden emphasized that community members should avoid pursuing him directly. “We’ve received some solid tips and are checking them out diligently,” she said.