Runaway Kangaroo Sheila Caused Two-Vehicle Collision in Macon County

A quiet Tuesday morning turned into a bizarre spectacle in Macon County, Alabama, when a kangaroo Sheila escaped her enclosure and made her way onto Interstate 85. The sight of the marsupial bounding through busy traffic shocked drivers and caused a two-vehicle collision as motorists swerved to avoid hitting the animal.

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency reported the incident occurred around 11:50 a.m. on April 29 near the 46-mile marker, a stretch of highway between Montgomery and Auburn.

According to officials, both the northbound and southbound lanes of I-85 were shut down temporarily as troopers and the animal’s owner worked together to safely recover the kangaroo.

Sheila was eventually tranquilized and retrieved at the scene by her owner, Patrick Starr. Fortunately, neither the kangaroo nor the people involved in the crash were injured, but the incident raised questions about the safety of keeping exotic animals as pets.

Local residents and social media users expressed a mix of disbelief and concern. Footage of the kangaroo hopping along the interstate quickly went viral, capturing the moment when she darted through traffic, narrowly avoiding vehicles. One video showed a car passenger reacting in astonishment as Sheila bounded in front of their vehicle, exclaiming, “What the hell? Where are you going, buddy? Wow.”

Read : 47-Year-Old Man Who Killed 100 Kangaroos in Australia Arrested

The surreal nature of the event even surprised seasoned law enforcement officers. Sheriff Andre Brunson commented, “I’ve never seen anything like it. We had a bear a few years ago, but never a kangaroo. You never know what you’ll see in Macon County.”

A Close Call That Sparked a Public Safety Concern

Sheila’s escape might have been an isolated incident, but it shined a light on broader issues related to exotic pet ownership. Although Sheila did not cause any fatalities or injuries, her sudden appearance on a major highway posed a serious threat to public safety. The quick reaction from law enforcement helped prevent a more tragic outcome, with officials pausing traffic to ensure that the kangaroo would not run into oncoming lanes.

The animal was taken to Auburn University’s College of Veterinary Medicine for evaluation following her retrieval. Thankfully, she was found to be unharmed and later returned to her home.

I-85 Kangaroo Update From ALEA A two-vehicle crash occurred at approximately 11:50 a.m. Tuesday, April 29, involving a kangaroo. The crash occurred in the southbound lane of Interstate 85 near the 46 mile marker in Macon County.

Eventually both the southbound and northbound… pic.twitter.com/srcWR0hfT4

— James Spann (@spann) April 29, 2025

Her owner, Patrick Starr, posted on Facebook to reassure friends and followers that all involved were safe. “Thank you for all the texts and calls today. Thankfully, everybody is okay,” he wrote.

But not everyone was satisfied with the resolution. Animal welfare advocates pointed out that this was the third kangaroo escape reported in Alabama within the past four years. According to Laura Hagen, director of captive wildlife at Humane World for Animals, Sheila’s escape highlights the dangers of keeping wild animals in captivity, especially in residential or roadside environments.

“Whether in a roadside petting zoo or kept as a pet in someone’s backyard, captivity is no place for a kangaroo,” she said in a public statement. Hagen noted that kangaroos and their close relatives, wallabies, have been involved in at least 74 documented escapes since 2010, with 17 resulting in animal deaths.

Sheila’s case may have ended peacefully, but the potential for a much worse outcome remained high throughout the incident. A frightened and disoriented animal on a busy interstate not only endangers itself but also the lives of countless motorists.

The Ongoing Debate Over Exotic Pets in the U.S.

Sheila’s adventure has reignited debate over whether wild or exotic animals should be allowed as pets. Kangaroos, although cute and seemingly docile, are powerful animals that require specific environments and care. While they may appear manageable when young, they grow into strong, muscular adults capable of causing significant harm — to themselves or others — if frightened or stressed.

Many animal welfare organizations have called for stricter laws regarding the private ownership of exotic animals. In some U.S. states, kangaroos can be legally kept as pets with the proper permits, while in others, it’s entirely prohibited.

Alabama, in particular, does not have comprehensive laws addressing exotic pet ownership, which leaves considerable gaps in oversight and enforcement.

The incident in Macon County serves as a stark reminder of what can happen when such animals escape containment. It’s not just about the risk to the animal — although that is significant — but also the dangers posed to the public.

Law enforcement agencies are not equipped to handle wildlife emergencies of this kind on a regular basis, and every such incident diverts attention and resources from other pressing matters. Sheriff Brunson praised the teamwork between officers and Sheila’s owner, acknowledging how smoothly the situation was resolved.

However, even he noted the unpredictability of the event, suggesting it could have ended very differently if not for timely intervention. “Everybody is out here working together trying to make sure that we get this kangaroo home safely,” he said during a live stream at the scene.

Sheila’s Story Resonates Beyond Alabama

Though she has now safely returned home, Sheila has become something of a symbol in the broader conversation around animal welfare and public safety. Her story — complete with viral videos, highway chaos, and a peaceful resolution — captured attention far beyond Alabama. But beneath the novelty lies a deeper issue: how society manages and regulates the human desire to keep exotic animals as companions.

Many people may not realize just how prevalent exotic pet ownership is in the United States. Thousands of non-native animals — from reptiles to big cats to primates and kangaroos — are kept in private homes, often in environments ill-suited to their needs. While some owners go to great lengths to care for these animals responsibly, others may underestimate the complexity and risk involved.

In Sheila’s case, she was fortunate to have an owner who responded quickly and cooperated fully with authorities. Her safe recovery and medical check-up at Auburn University show a level of responsibility and care not always present in such situations. However, that doesn’t negate the broader implications.

The fact remains that she was able to escape and end up on a major highway, which raises important questions about containment, supervision, and the suitability of keeping such animals in residential settings.

Animal advocates continue to push for legislative reform. Laura Hagen and others argue that the repeated escapes of kangaroos and similar animals over the past decade are not isolated anomalies but symptoms of a larger systemic issue. Public safety, animal welfare, and environmental concerns all converge in these moments of crisis, creating an urgent need for updated laws and better enforcement mechanisms.

Sheila’s story may be unique in its details, but it’s part of a recurring pattern. Whether it’s bears, lions, monkeys, or kangaroos, the line between curiosity and responsibility becomes increasingly blurred when exotic animals are involved. As more incidents like this come to light, the hope is that public discourse will evolve into meaningful policy change.

For now, Sheila is back home, her brief moment of fame a curious footnote in Macon County’s history. But the questions she left behind continue to hop around in the minds of lawmakers, animal rights activists, and the public alike.