Rogue wallaby sparks warning

The sight of a wallaby hopping through the streets of Timaru has Environment Canterbury urging people to keep a close watch for the pest, with increased sightings in residential areas.

A Timaru resident, who declined to be named, filmed the wallaby on a Sunday afternoon drive through Morgans Rd, and then into Pukaki St.

‘‘It was quite a surprise. I’ve seen wallabies in Cave, but I’ve never seen one in Timaru before,’’ she said. ‘‘I didn’t know what to do. I rang the SPCA but by the time they took the call I had lost sight of it.’’

She had since contacted ECan, who told her because the wallaby is in the containment area, their biosecurity team doesn’t necessarily need to know about it.

She said ECan told her ‘‘it’s only when they are found outside the containment area – such as past Rakaia or past Waitaki – that it becomes an issue they need to be aware of’’.

While she had not seen the wallaby since, other people said they had seen it after she posted the video to social media.

Wallabies are regarded as a pest by ECan, which estimates the population at several hundred thousand in the 900,000 hectares of containment areas in Canterbury.

ECan biosecurity team leader Brent Glentworth said this includes built-up areas such as Timaru.

‘‘As wallaby levels have increased in the containment area, it has become more common to see wallabies on the fringes of townships and large reserve areas,’’ Glentworth said.

‘‘It is important to note these animals are classified as a pest, just like feral rabbits or possums. They cause significant damage.

‘‘It is illegal to capture, move or keep wallabies, and fines under the Biosecurity Act 1997 can be steep. Please let ECan know if you are aware of wallabies being held as pets.’’

Glentworth said feral wallabies will not come in to built-up areas; they will shy away from the lights/traffic/barking dogs and other unfamiliar noises.

‘‘We are aware of increasing reports; some of these may be illegally held pets that have escaped enclosures or some may just have the misfortune of ending up in town and not knowing how to get out,’’ he said.

‘‘The job of capturing a wallaby on the loose in town is not easy; they are very mobile and fast.’’

Glentworth said if people see a wallaby in Timaru and it is a traffic safety risk, contact animal control at Timaru District Council.

‘‘If there is a risk to public safety, the animal may need to be captured or netted and then humanely destroyed,’’ he said.

‘‘Capturing a wallaby on the loose in town is not easy.’’

Brent Glentworth