Commuters on Interstate 85 near Tuskegee, Alabama, had no idea what kind of wild ride they were in for on April 29, 2025. Right in the middle of morning traffic, drivers spotted something you don’t exactly expect to see hopping alongside the highway—a kangaroo.
The runaway marsupial, named Sheila, had slipped out of her enclosure at a local petting zoo owned by Patrick Starr. Starr reported Sheila missing early that morning, but by the time law enforcement caught up with her, she had already made it to one of Alabama’s busiest highways.
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, with a little help from Starr himself, used a tranquilizer dart to safely recapture Sheila before anyone—or the kangaroo—got hurt. Tuskegee’s Macon County Sheriff Andre Brunson even went live on Facebook during the chase, giving thousands of viewers a front-row seat to the chaos.
Not Your Typical Traffic Jam
Seeing a kangaroo bouncing down the highway isn’t exactly your everyday Alabama traffic jam. Drivers pulled over, pulled out their phones, and gawked at the sight. Some even cheered Sheila on from the sidelines.
One driver, Austin Price, said he thought he was hallucinating at first. “You hear about deer on the road around here, but a kangaroo? That’s new,” Price told reporters, still shaking his head.
Traffic had to be completely shut down in both directions while officers wrangled Sheila safely. Despite the interruption, most drivers said they didn’t mind the delay—after all. How many times do you get to tell your boss you were late because of a kangaroo?
After her capture, Sheila was transported to Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine, where veterinarians gave her a full checkup. Thankfully, she survived the ordeal without a scratch and was soon back at the zoo, probably wondering what all the fuss was about.
A Reminder About Exotic Pets
Sheila’s unexpected adventure brings up a bigger conversation: the challenges of owning exotic animals like kangaroos. Sure, they’re cute and have powerful Instagram potential, but they’re also wild animals with needs most backyards can’t meet.
Experts stress that exotic pets require specialized care, plenty of space, and extremely secure enclosures. Alabama is one of several U.S. states that allow the ownership of exotic animals with permits. However, incidents like Sheila’s escape show how easily things can go sideways if proper precautions aren’t taken.
If Sheila’s story teaches us anything, it’s that caring for wild animals isn’t just a novelty—it’s a big responsibility.
Community’s Reaction
Not surprisingly, Sheila’s adventure made her something of a local celebrity. Memes, T-shirts, and even a “Sheila for Mayor” Facebook page popped up overnight. Locals joked that the kangaroo brought some much-needed entertainment to their daily grind, and several residents even swung by the petting zoo once Sheila was back home to catch a glimpse of their new favorite outlaw.
One thing’s for sure: Sheila’s great escape won’t be forgotten anytime soon.
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