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VIDEO: Kangaroo leads police on wild chase

Posted at 8:30 AM, Jun 03, 2013
and last updated 2013-06-03 08:56:49-04

DADE CITY, Fla. (WTVR) – A 5-foot-tall, 200-pound male kangaroo on the loose north of Dade City since Saturday night was tranquilized, Tased and tackled before being captured Sunday.

The Pasco County Sheriff's Office received a couple of calls Saturday when people spotted a kangaroo on the loose, but the marsupial eluded deputies that night.

Police had an easier time finding the brownish-red animal Sunday, but the creature still alluded efforts to capture it.

Deputies eventually corned the pouched perpetrator, waiting for backup and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Over the next couple of hours, the kangaroo alternated between resting and checking the perimeter of its enclosure, either looking for a way out or making sure no one was coming in.

When the wildlife commission showed up Sunday, the plan was to start with tranquilizers. Turns out they weren't enough to put the kangaroo down. Eventually authorities tackled the beast, Tased it and brought it into custody.

It's unclear what will happen to the animal if it isn't claimed.

A commercial kangaroo farm operates not far from where the marsupial was captured. Its owner is the only one in the area who has kangaroos on file with wildlife authorities.