Kangaroo hopscotch game in Malente: Where did the animal go?

Kangaroo hopscotch game in Malente: Where did the animal go?

What's going on in Malente? Many people will have asked themselves this last Sunday when a kangaroo hopped through the spa town and caused a stir. Local residents reported sightings of the animal visitor, but since the dazzling appearance there has been no trace of the marsupial. Police have been informed but no reports of a missing kangaroo have been received. The well-known kangaroo keepers in the region also said they were relaxed and didn't miss any animals. There is therefore no reason for the officials to panic - the kangaroos pose no danger and no further measures are necessary, as NDR reports.

There is great confusion as rumors about the kangaroo hopping around have become a topic of conversation. According to eyewitnesses, the sighting occurred in the center of Malente. Despite the exciting news, there have been no further sightings so far, leaving residents perplexed. Once again it shows how such an animal can stimulate the imagination and quickly become a topic of conversation in the town.

A former runaway

What's interesting is that this isn't the first time a kangaroo has caused a stir in the region. Back in 2022, a kangaroo named “Freddy” escaped from an enclosure and ultimately had to be captured with a blowgun. This not only shows that the marsupials sometimes have a knack for escaping moments, but also raises questions about how such animals should be kept. There are several kangaroo keepers in the Malente region, although exact numbers are not known, as SHZ reports.

However, given the regulatory requirements, kangaroos are not a common sight in Germany. Invasive animal species, including some species of marsupials, are not allowed to be kept as pets in the EU if they are on the Union list. These animals include species that have a negative impact on biodiversity and can spread quickly. However, owners who have already acquired animals before listing must ensure that they are housed in an escape-proof manner in order to avoid further incidents, as MDR explains. The preservation of local biodiversity has a high priority in the discussion about animal husbandry.

So it remains to be seen whether the missing kangaroo from Malente will perhaps still be spotted or whether it will continue to go on a discovery tour. One thing is certain: the stories surrounding these animals will be remembered by local residents for a long time.