A wallaby—yes, a wallaby—is on the run in South Jersey after escaping from a local farm in Williamstown.
Rex, a roughly 3-year-old wallaby, got out of his enclosure at Lots of Love Farm overnight Monday, triggering a frantic search and a wave of late-night sightings shared across social media.
Videos posted online appear to show a kangaroo-like animal hopping through a Walmart parking lot in Williamstown. Authorities are still working to confirm whether the animal seen in those clips is Rex.
Farm owner Ron Layden says Rex is friendly and not dangerous but should not be chased. Pursuing the animal aggressively could cause him to panic, making recapture much more difficult.
The farm is asking anyone who spots Rex to contact them so staff can respond safely.
Wallabies are marsupials. The smaller kangaroo relatives are known for powerful hind legs and ability to move quickly. Wallabies—native to Australia and New Guinea—are accustomed to warmer climates, making the search for Rex that much more important.
Lots of Love Farm says its focus remains on safely locating Rex and bringing him home.
The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.