Runaway Wallaby Kipper Dies After Escape from Dayton Campus

The beloved classroom animal had been part of Sinclair Community College's Veterinary Technology program.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 9:55pm

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An abstract, impressionistic photograph of a blurred wallaby-like shape in a grassy field, with the scene washed in soft, golden light, conveying a sense of melancholy and loss.The sudden loss of Kipper the wallaby has left the Sinclair community mourning the passing of a beloved classroom animal.Today in Dayton

Kipper the wallaby, a regular visitor to Sinclair Community College's Veterinary Technology program, died early Tuesday morning after escaping from the Dayton campus on Friday. The 1-year-old marsupial was being shown to high school students when he unexpectedly fled his crate and ran off, leading to a brief search before he was captured nearby. No cause of death has been revealed for Kipper.

Why it matters

Kipper's death has saddened the Sinclair community, which valued the wallaby's role in hands-on learning for veterinary students. The incident also highlights the challenges of keeping exotic animals secure, even in educational settings where they are regularly featured.

The details

According to Sinclair's chief public information officer Scott Marshall, Kipper passed away around 1 a.m. Tuesday. Kipper's owner, Dr. Carolyn Reno, who chairs the college's Veterinary Technology program, had brought the wallaby to campus on Friday to show him to some high school students. But this time, Kipper 'went into a fight-or-flight' mode, causing the latch on his crate to become undone and allowing him to escape. Reno tried to call Kipper back, but he took off and was later captured near the Jobs and Family Services building on Edwin C. Moses Boulevard.

  • Kipper escaped from Sinclair Community College on Friday, April 11, 2026.
  • Kipper was captured near the Jobs and Family Services building later that day.
  • Kipper died around 1 a.m. on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.

The players

Kipper

A 1-year-old wallaby who was a regular visitor to Sinclair Community College's Veterinary Technology program, used for hands-on learning experiences for students.

Dr. Carolyn Reno

The chair of Sinclair Community College's Veterinary Technology program and the owner of Kipper the wallaby.

Scott Marshall

The chief public information officer at Sinclair Community College, who confirmed Kipper's death.

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What they’re saying

“We are deeply saddened by the sudden loss of Kipper, who had been a part of Sinclair's Veterinary Technology program from time-to-time as a visitor, with regard to students' hands-on learning experiences.”

— Scott Marshall, Chief Public Information Officer, Sinclair Community College

“For some reason, this time it was a little bit scarier and he kind of went into a fight-or-flight. And since he doesn't fight, he's a very docile creature.”

— Dr. Carolyn Reno, Chair, Veterinary Technology Program, Sinclair Community College

“He stopped, he paused, he looked back at me, and I said, Kipper, I don't think that's a good idea. I tried to call him back and he just took off.”

— Dr. Carolyn Reno, Chair, Veterinary Technology Program, Sinclair Community College

What’s next

Sinclair Community College has not announced any specific plans for a memorial or tribute to Kipper, but the college community is expected to mourn the loss of the beloved classroom animal.

The takeaway

Kipper's unexpected death highlights the challenges of keeping exotic animals secure, even in educational settings where they are regularly featured. The incident has saddened the Sinclair community, which valued Kipper's role in hands-on learning for veterinary students.