A wallaby on an early morning hop across the Sydney Harbour Bridge has been been apprehended by police.
The wallaby, who appeared to be en route to the Conservatorium of Music after exiting the bridge on the Cahill expressway, was seen by The Traffic Management Centre at about 5am this morning.
The incident was captured on film by NSW Police.
The police pursued the rogue hopper across the bridge before capturing him, and transporting him to Taronga Zoo be assessed by a vet. The animal was reportedly ‘very stressed’ but did not appear to have sustained any serious injuries.
Traffic speed was reduced on the bridge during the incident, affecting early morning traffic. Drivers on the bridge called in to 2GB to describe the shock of seeing the wallaby so far from home, so early in the morning.
One caller, Jesse, described the moment he realised the cause of the commotion was the wallaby.
“There was some flashing lights saying there’s an accident on or something, so I’m slowing down to 40, and the next thing I see a kangaroo just sitting there in the lane,” he said.
Despite the shock of the sighting, Taronga Zoo veterinarian Dr Vogelnest told the Sydney Morning Herald that the presence of swamp wallabies in urban area is not that uncommon.
“It’s unusual to have a wallaby running around on the Harbor Bridge, but there are more and more of these wallabies turning up in bushland close to the city,” Dr Vogelnest said.
“Swamp wallabies are quite common, and they’re quite robust and don’t mind living close to people so there are more and more of them in the city.”
The wallaby is believed to have come from the Cammeray Golf Course and will be released near other swamp wallabies after 24 hours.
In another call to 2GB, listener Dean summed up the novelty of the morning .
“It was just hopping down the street: Never seen anything like it.” he said.
“That’s Australia for you.”
Video Source: Straits Times
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