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On Tuesday, a runaway kangaroo named Sheila caused a two-vehicle crash and temporarily shut down Interstate 85 in Macon County, Alabama. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency reported that Sheila was seen hopping along the southbound lane, leading to the accident near the 46-mile marker between Montgomery and Auburn.
The incident prompted authorities to close both the north and southbound lanes to ensure the safety of motorists while recovering the kangaroo. Sheila's owner, Patrick Starr, worked with state troopers to capture the marsupial. According to Fox 8, the owner used a dart to tranquilize Sheila before safely transporting her back home.
Macon County Sheriff Andre Brunson expressed disbelief at the sight of a kangaroo on the highway, stating in a Facebook live video, "When somebody said there was a kangaroo, of course I didn’t believe it, and nobody believed it. But I’m looking at him." Brunson emphasized the importance of stopping traffic to prevent further accidents.
Sheila, who escaped from her enclosure, was treated at the Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine and returned home uninjured. Starr, who owns a pumpkin patch and petting zoo, described Sheila as a "sweet pet" and expressed relief that everyone involved was safe.
The Humane World for Animals highlighted Sheila's escape as part of a pattern of incidents involving captive kangaroos, noting that captivity is unsuitable for such powerful animals. This event marks the third kangaroo escape in Alabama in the past four years, raising concerns about the safety of keeping wild animals as pets.