Residents of the small Dutch village of Middenmeer unexpectedly felt as if they were in Australia: a wallaby, a small relative of the kangaroo, was freely roaming the streets and surroundings of the settlement.
In the morning of July 19, 2026, a local resident reported to the police that he had noticed an unusual animal near the football fields. Officers who arrived at the scene confirmed: a wallaby was indeed hopping around Middenmeer, presumably escaped from private ownership.
Catching it proved difficult
Initially, the police didn't know the animal's name or who owned it. Nearby zoos and animal parks reported that all their wallabies were accounted for, so law enforcement assumed the escapee was kept by a private owner.
The police published a photo of the unusual traveler and asked residents to report any sightings. People were advised not to try to catch the wallaby themselves: a frightened animal could suddenly change direction and run onto the road.
Drivers and cyclists were also urged to be especially careful. It's unlikely anyone setting off for work in the morning would expect to see a hopping "mini-kangaroo" in front of them.
The wallaby, meanwhile, clearly had no intention of surrendering voluntarily. It moved quickly through the streets and open areas, evading the police officers pursuing it several times.
Chase with a veterinarian
It later turned out that the escapee's name was Skippy. To safely conclude the chase, police officers enlisted the help of a veterinarian.
The specialist shot the animal with a tranquilizer dart. After the medication took effect, the police were able to approach Skippy, carefully retrieve him, and hand him over to his owner. The animal was unharmed and safely returned home.
Why was the wallaby with a private owner?
Since July 2024, it has been forbidden in the Netherlands to acquire new wallabies for keeping as pets. However, owners who obtained such animals before the ban was introduced are allowed to keep them. It is likely that Skippy falls into this category.
The unusual walk ended successfully: the wallaby returned to its owner, residents got a story they will be retelling to their neighbors for a long time, and the police had one of the most exotic chases in their practice.
That day, the streets of Middenmeer briefly turned into the Australian outback, and Skippy proved that even a small wallaby can make an entire police squad run after it.
