Wallaby outwits zoo’s security within hours of arrival

A WALLABY has escaped just hours after arriving at an animal attraction and despite the owners installing a purpose-built “wallaby-proof ” fence.

Staff at the Filey Bird Garden and Animal Park, on the North Yorkshire coast, have been left scratching their heads after the marsupial disappeared some time between Monday evening and yesterday morning. The animal was one of two male Bennett’s wallabies who arrived at the park on Monday.

It does not even have a name as the keepers were still in the early stages of planning a competition to name the new pair. Animal manager Chris Holah said the family-run attraction had spent a lot of money on a specialist enclosure which they were assured by experts was wallaby-proof.

He said: “We’re baffled, a bit embarrassed and obviously concerned.

“He’s only been with us one day and he’s just gone.”

In a statement, the park said: “After spending the day settling in and a few close encounters with their neighbours, the rheas, they seemed to settle in well. They were last checked at 7.30pm last night and were happily in their shelter. However at 7am, when we went to feed them, it became apparent there was only one in there. After a very thorough search of the paddock, the park and surrounding area there was no sign of him.”

Mr Holah said the animal posed no threat to people.