Two wallabies recently escaped from their owner's home in Belgium. A few days later, one of the wallabies crossed the border into France. The animal was subsequently captured by French firefighters and returned to its owner.
According to reports from United Press International, the Mouscron police in Belgium posted on Facebook that two wallabies escaped last weekend from their home in the Herseaux district. At least one of them crossed the border between France and Belgium, entering the city of Wattrelos in the Nord department of northern France, where it was caught by firefighters.
The Nord Fire Department posted on Facebook that, to safely and painlessly capture the wallaby, the personnel used a net to prevent it from escaping. They then carefully grabbed the wallaby by its tail to avoid causing it any harm. This method is completely painless for the wallaby and also protects the rescuers from being hit by its tail, scratched by its claws, or bitten defensively.
The captured wallaby was placed in a cage and then returned to its owner. The other escaped wallaby is still missing and its whereabouts remain unknown.
Wallabies: Diverse Members of the Kangaroo Family
According to National Geographic magazine, wallabies are members of the kangaroo family, primarily found in Australia and its surrounding islands. These small kangaroos are highly diverse and can generally be categorized based on their habitats into three groups: scrub wallabies, bush wallabies, and rock wallabies.
The hare-wallaby, named for its size and behavior resembling that of a hare, is one of the notable species within this group.
About Wallabies
Wallabies are medium-sized marsupials, but the largest individuals can reach a body length (from head to tail) of up to 6 feet (approximately 1.8 meters). They have powerful hind legs that enable them to run swiftly and make long-distance jumps.
When threatened by predators or during fights between male wallabies, they use their strong hind legs to deliver forceful kicks.
Wallabies are herbivorous animals that primarily feed on grasses and plants. Their slender faces provide ample space in the lower jaw to accommodate large, flat teeth, which help them chew plant-based food efficiently.
