ESCAPEE KANGAROO CAPTURED IN YATES COUNTY

 

As a sheriff’s deputy, one never knows what one may be asked to do.

A 2-foot-high kangaroo escaped its handler in Jerusalem (near Branchport, on the west branch of Keuka Lake) on Saturday, March 13.  The Yates County sheriff’s department jumped into action, issuing bulletins to have people in the Williams Hill and Coats Rd. area look for it, and call the sheriff’s department if located.  The handler was also actively searching for the kangaroo, but had lost sight of it. It was found about a mile from where it got away.

The female “joey” was located on Sunday afternoon, March 13, in an overgrown vineyard, after being searched for by at least 40 volunteers, with many calls on location also coming into the sheriff’s office.   Once located, volunteers surrounded the frightened animal and Deputy Scott Walker was able to secure it by throwing a blanket over it, and securing its legs. The owners, David and Suzanne Stokoe of Stokoe Farms in Scottsville were present when the small animal was captured. The kangaroo had been taken to Jerusalem on a visit with family by an employee, and it got away from him.

The kangaroo was returned to the Stokoes to be with other friendly kangaroos on their farm, and other than being frightened and very cold and hungry after its overnight ordeal, it appeared to be otherwise uninjured.