Kangaroo Escapes Wisconsin Petting Zoo, Evades Searchers for 3 Days

Chesney the kangaroo scaled an 8-foot fence and went on the lam, sparking a community-wide search effort to bring him home.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 3:34pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A bold, colorful silkscreen-style illustration of a kangaroo repeated in a grid pattern, capturing the adventurous spirit and community response to Chesney's brief time on the lam.The daring escape and community-wide search for Chesney the kangaroo has turned the petting zoo resident into a local celebrity.Necedah Today

A 16-month-old kangaroo named Chesney escaped from Sunshine Farm, a petting zoo in Necedah, Wisconsin, last week after being spooked by stray dogs. Chesney scaled an 8-foot fence and evaded searchers for three days, staying within a 3-mile radius of the farm. Keeper Debbie Marland and a team of volunteers, including a drone operator, searched tirelessly to find the high-jumping marsupial, who was eventually located and safely returned to the farm.

Why it matters

The escape of Chesney the kangaroo highlights the challenges petting zoos and animal sanctuaries can face in keeping exotic animals secure, especially when unexpected incidents occur. The community-wide search effort also showcases how local residents can come together to help reunite a beloved animal with its caretakers.

The details

On Wednesday morning, Chesney escaped from his enclosure at Sunshine Farm after being spooked by stray dogs that rushed the area. Despite staying within a 3-mile radius of the farm, Chesney proved elusive, evading searchers for three days. Keeper Debbie Marland and her team, including drone operator Colton Johnson, spent long hours searching the surrounding woods and fields, chasing reported sightings and using heat-sensing drones to try and track Chesney's movements. The kangaroo managed to slip away a few times, even jumping into a cold river at one point to avoid capture. It wasn't until Saturday morning, when Marland returned with Chesney's favorite treats and familiar scents, that the kangaroo finally approached the search party and was safely retrieved by Marland's friend Stacy Brereton.

  • On Wednesday, March 26, 2026, Chesney escaped from his enclosure around 11:15 a.m.
  • The search for Chesney lasted for three days, from Wednesday through Saturday.

The players

Chesney

A 16-month-old kangaroo who escaped from Sunshine Farm petting zoo in Necedah, Wisconsin.

Debbie Marland

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

Colton Johnson

The owner of Midwest Aerial Drone Services, who used heat-sensing drones to help search for the missing kangaroo.

Stacy Brereton

A friend of Debbie Marland who helps out routinely at Sunshine Farm, and was the one who ultimately retrieved Chesney on Saturday.

Sunshine Farm

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

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“It almost looked like a dinosaur running through the woods. It's got a long tail, and the way it was moving and hopping, that's the only way that I can describe it.”

— Colton Johnson, Drone Operator

“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, Sunshine Farm Volunteer

What’s next

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

The takeaway

This incident highlights the challenges petting zoos and animal sanctuaries can face in keeping exotic animals secure, and the importance of community support and quick action to safely reunite missing animals with their caretakers.