Kangaroo Escapes Petting Zoo, Leads 3-Day Search

Chesney the kangaroo jumped an 8-foot fence and spent three days on the run before being rescued by his caretakers.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 10:33pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Chesney, a 16-month-old kangaroo living at Sunshine Farm petting zoo in Necedah, Wisconsin, escaped his enclosure last week after being spooked by stray dogs. Chesney scaled an 8-foot fence and went on the lam for three days, leading his keeper Debbie Marland and other searchers on an exhaustive hunt across the local area. The kangaroo was eventually found and safely returned to the farm.

Why it matters

Kangaroo escapes from petting zoos are extremely rare, and Chesney's high-profile adventure highlighted the challenges of keeping exotic animals secure and the dedication of the Sunshine Farm staff to ensure the kangaroo's safe return.

The details

On Wednesday morning, Chesney was spooked by stray dogs that rushed his enclosure, prompting the 16-month-old kangaroo to scale an 8-foot fence and escape the Sunshine Farm petting zoo. Keeper Debbie Marland and her friends then spent the next three days searching the area, chasing reported sightings and even using heat-seeking drones to try and locate the wandering kangaroo. Chesney stayed within a 3-mile radius of the farm but kept evading his pursuers until he was finally spotted and captured on Saturday morning.

  • On Wednesday, March 26, Chesney escaped the Sunshine Farm petting zoo around 11:15 AM.
  • On Friday, March 28, searchers feared Chesney had wandered farther away as no one had spotted him all day.
  • On Friday night, March 28, Chesney was discovered nestled under a tree but managed to evade capture.
  • On Saturday morning, March 29, Chesney was finally located and safely returned to the farm.

The players

Chesney

A 16-month-old kangaroo living at the Sunshine Farm petting zoo in Necedah, Wisconsin.

Debbie Marland

The keeper at Sunshine Farm responsible for caring for Chesney and the other animals.

Stacy Brereton

A friend of Debbie Marland's who helps out routinely at the Sunshine Farm petting zoo.

Sunshine Farm

A petting zoo in Necedah, Wisconsin that is home to Chesney the kangaroo and various other animals.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I was putting on about 37,000 steps per day looking for him. I haven't done so much exercise in a very long time.”

— Debbie Marland, Keeper, Sunshine Farm

“He had a very calm attitude when he walked up. Obviously you could tell he wasn't in fight-or-flight mode, so I just went with that. I just stayed calm with him and I just kind of went and sat and let him come to me.”

— Stacy Brereton, Volunteer, Sunshine Farm

“I do believe he heard our comforting voices, he smelled the familiar smells of home, and it just made him feel safe. I'm just glad he loves me as much as I love him.”

— Stacy Brereton, Volunteer, Sunshine Farm

What’s next

Sunshine Farm plans to install a new mesh top over the kangaroo enclosure to prevent any future high-jumping escapes.

The takeaway

Chesney's daring adventure highlighted the challenges of keeping exotic animals secure in petting zoos, as well as the dedication of the Sunshine Farm staff to ensure the kangaroo's safe return. The community's involvement in the search effort also demonstrated the local interest and affection for the popular attraction.