The superstart of the Operation Kangaroo Roundup. These volunteers spotted Sydney in the bushes at SunTrust bank and helped gather volunteers to encircle him: (from left to righ) Scott McLamb (Dunn EMS Paramedic), Charity Brown, and Capt Randy Brown (Erwin Fire & Rescue).
Sydney the wallaby stands a rather unassuming 3 feet tall but, as many of our friends and volunteers at the zoo know, his exploits are often larger than life!
(Don’t believe us — read about his antics last year: http://www.wral.com/news/news_briefs/story/5488761/)
On Saturday, Sydney hopped into the limelight again when he escaped from the Noah’s Landing booth at Erwin Denim Days. For this annual event, Noah’s Landing sets up a hands-on display with live critters and volunteers so local kids and families can learn about some of our most “kid-friendly” creatures. During the morning set up, Sydney managed to pry apart the back wall of his heavy-duty metal enclosure. As soon as he was spotted by volunteers, he darted into the festival grounds.
Immediately, volunteers leapt into pursuit while others began notifying local officials. Within 20 minutes, Sydney disappeared from sight as he headed into the streets and neighborhoods behind Erwin’s downtown.
(It might seem hard to believe but adult wallabies can hop at speeds of more than 30 mph! Watching Sydney take off at full speed through Erwin’s streets would have been awe-inspiring if we hadn’t been so terrified!)
As the festival began, local fire officials and police officers hopped onto golf carts for what they dubbed “Operation Kangaroo Roundup.” In a moment of sheer luck, one of the officers suggested to his colleagues that they should search the bushes behind the Sun Trust bank. (Which was directly across the street from the Noah’s Landing booth.) As they arrived, luck prevailed again as a Noah’s Landing staff member joined them to hand out details and instructions if Sydney was spotted. They immediately pointed out that Sydney was trying his best to “blend in” behind the bank’s bushes.
Within minute, a group of volunteers, fire and police officers, and local citizens created a tight perimeter around the wallaby. As they closed in, volunteer Joanne Creswell slowly reached out and grabbed his tail. (The strongest part of his body.) Within seconds, “Operation Kangaroo Rescue” can to a quick and safe conclusion.
It had been 50 minutes.
The fact that Sydney was captured quickly and without injury is a testament to the kindness and quick thinking of the people of Erwin. Countless ordinary citizens – who no doubt had never even heard of Noah’s Landing – hopped into trucks to patrol for Sydney or offered their services. Word of Sydney’s escape was quickly transmitted over the radio and through walkie talkies so all festival-goers could stay alert and notify authorities. As ridiculous as it might has sounded when it came across their radios, local police and fire officers took to task without question and immediately laid out a plan and organized a search party.
We have always felt proud to be a part of Harnett County but couldn’t have felt prouder than the moment we opened the carrier door and Sydney hopped (safely) back into his enclosure at the zoo. A heartfelt thank you to all the people of Erwin who were good humored and kind as Saturday’s events unfolded.
As for Sydney, he’s not leaving the zoo anytime soon.
