On February 9th, a 7-year old kangaroo named Hopper escaped containment and had an adventure, getting stuck in the pool area of a Tampa, Florida apartment complex. The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office was called to recontain the animal. Hopper is a privately owned kangaroo, owned by Dunia Ramirez, a local resident with veterinarian training. Ramirez has permits to own both Hopper and another kangaroo named Jack. Fortunately, it did not take long for the law to catch up with Hopper.
According to the Tampa Bay Times, “the kangaroo was first spotted near Fowler Avenue and 56th Street in Temple Terrace. By the time deputies arrived, the 7-year-old kangaroo named Hopper had made his way to Arbor Pointe Circle, about 1 mile away.” (February 9th) Hopper was uninjured and safely recontained after nearly 45 minutes. Residents called the police to hopefully safely recontain Hopper.
This is the first time Hopper has breached containment, possibly due to a worker leaving Ramirez’s gate open during house renovation. According to the Washington Times, Ramirez was very thankful that Hopper traveled in the direction he did. In an interview with the Washington Times, she said “I’m glad that he decided to go that way because I live next to a busy avenue and I know God was watching over him,” (February 10th)
According to USA Today, “The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, who is investigating the incident, is trying to “determine the structural changes that may need to be made at the property where this occurred.” (February 9th) Hopper has been reunited with his owner and was fed throughout the night by the deputies.