Australia is home to some of the most unique and fascinating wildlife on the planet. From kangaroos bounding across the outback to koalas snoozing in eucalyptus trees, our native animals are a source of national pride and global curiosity.
But every now and then, one of our beloved creatures finds itself in the most unexpected of places—and this time, it’s left an entire English village scratching their heads.
In the small rural village of Hougham, located in Kent, England, a rare albino wallaby was discovered injured and far from its native Australian habitat—a staggering 14,000km away. The unusual sighting has baffled locals and wildlife experts alike as they try to piece together how this exotic marsupial ended up in their quiet countryside.
The wallaby, which was found with blood on its nose and back legs, was spotted hiding in a thicket by a concerned member of the public. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) was called in to assist, but even they were taken aback by the situation. After all, handling Australian wildlife isn’t exactly a common occurrence in the UK.
Wayne Baker, a member of the RSPCA’s animal rescue team, described the delicate operation to secure the injured wallaby. ‘He must have been sitting there for a couple of hours. I gave him some water, but it was clear he needed veterinary attention,’ Mr Baker said. With no local vet available to attend to the scene, the team sought advice from their specialist unit on how to safely handle the marsupial. It took four people to carefully wrangle the wallaby, supporting its tail and chest to ensure it wasn’t further harmed.
The discovery of the albino wallaby has sparked a flurry of questions. How did this rare animal end up in Hougham? And more importantly, where did it come from? Authorities believe the wallaby may have been in the care of a wildlife park before being taken in by a foster carer. However, it’s unclear how it managed to escape and roam the English countryside.
Interestingly, this isn’t the first time the wallaby has been spotted in the area. It’s believed to be the same animal that was captured nearby just a week earlier, only to escape once again. The RSPCA is now appealing for the owner to come forward to help piece together the wallaby’s journey and ensure its safety.
‘We would like to speak to them as we need to establish how and where this wallaby is being kept. If the owner doesn’t come forward within 14 days, then we will rehome the animal into a suitable environment,’ Mr Baker said.
Wallabies in the UK? While wallabies are undeniably Australian icons, it might surprise you to learn that there are actually several populations of wallabies living in the wild in England and Scotland. These animals are not native to Britain but have been introduced over the years, often as escapees from private collections or wildlife parks. Some have even formed small, thriving colonies in rural areas.
Similarly, there have been reports of kookaburras—another quintessentially Australian animal—being spotted in the wilds of Scotland. It seems our unique wildlife has a knack for making itself at home, no matter where in the world it ends up!
The wallaby found in Hougham was not microchipped, making it difficult to trace its origins. This raises questions about the regulations surrounding the ownership of exotic animals and the importance of ensuring their welfare.
For now, the albino wallaby is in the care of the RSPCA, where it’s receiving the attention it needs. The organisation is working to find a suitable long-term solution for the animal, whether that’s reuniting it with its owner or rehoming it in a more appropriate environment.
As Australians, we can’t help but feel a pang of sympathy for this little marsupial so far from home. It’s a reminder of just how special our wildlife is—and how important it is to protect and cherish it, whether it’s here in Australia or halfway across the world.
What do you think about this unusual discovery? Have you ever encountered Australian wildlife in unexpected places? Share your thoughts and stories in the comments below!
Also read: Bizarre wildlife scene forces Australian driver to hit record
It’s no different to the Kangaroo Bounding down a Highway somewhere in the US, being pursued by the local Police.