Key Takeaways
- A wallaroo was found on the roof of a house in Glen Alpine, a suburb in Sydney’s southwest, for the second time in five years.
- The incident occurred just four houses away from where a near-identical incident occurred five years ago.
- Wildlife experts are baffled by the "coincidence" and are unsure whether it was the same animal.
- Wallaroos are closely related to kangaroos but have different behavior, being largely solitary and easily startled.
- The animal is believed to have hopped onto a raised garden bed and then made its way onto the roof, and was successfully rescued by a WIRES team.
Introduction to the Incident
An incredible "coincidence" has occurred on an Australian street, leaving wildlife experts baffled. For the second time in five years, residents have called for help after discovering a "kangaroo" on the roof of their house. However, upon closer inspection, it was revealed that the animal was not a kangaroo, but a closely related wallaroo. This incident has sparked interest and curiosity among wildlife experts, who are trying to understand how and why this happened.
The Discovery and Rescue
The wallaroo was discovered on the roof of a house in Glen Alpine, a suburb in Sydney’s southwest, which is close to an important wildlife corridor where wallaroos are frequently seen. WIRES rescuer Inga Tiere was called to the scene and was not surprised to find a wallaroo on the roof, given the history of a similar incident in the same area five years ago. The rescue was a delicate process, as wallaroos are prone to stress myopathy, a condition triggered by stress that can be fatal. Inga coaxed the animal towards a pergola and then watched as it jumped down through a gap in the roof, before squeezing through a hole in the fence and making its way back into the bush.
Understanding Wallaroo Behavior
Wallaroos are closely related to kangaroos, but their behavior is quite different. They are largely solitary animals and are more easily startled, which can lead to them becoming frightened and disoriented. According to Inga, the wallaroo could have been frightened by a barking dog or chased by something, leading it to hop onto a raised garden bed and then make its way onto the roof. The species’ behavior is characterized by a fight or flight response, which can lead to them taking risks and ending up in unexpected places, such as on a roof.
The Rarity of the Incident
While it is not uncommon to see wallaroos in the area, it is rare to find them on roofs. Prior to 2020, WIRES had not received a call to help a wallaroo on a roof in 30 years of operation. Whether it was the same animal that was found on the roof five years ago is unclear, but Inga believes it is possible, although unlikely. The fact that lightning can strike twice in the same place, sometimes more than twice, suggests that it is possible for unusual events to recur, and it will be interesting to see if this happens again in the future.
Conclusion and Future Implications
The discovery of a wallaroo on a roof in Glen Alpine has left wildlife experts baffled and curious. While it is unclear what led to the wallaroo ending up on the roof, it is clear that the animal’s behavior is characterized by a fight or flight response, which can lead to unexpected outcomes. The successful rescue of the wallaroo is a testament to the skill and expertise of WIRES rescuers, who are trained to handle delicate and complex situations. As the area continues to develop and urbanize, it will be interesting to see if similar incidents occur in the future, and how wildlife experts respond to these challenges.
