Two runaway wallabies spotted roaming between France and Belgium

Monday 21 July 2025 - 17:00

Authorities in northern France and southern Belgium are on alert after two wallabies were spotted wandering freely across the border region, evading capture for more than 24 hours.

The unexpected marsupial sightings began early Sunday morning when a young woman named Manon spotted one of the small kangaroo-like animals near a roundabout in Herseaux, a district in the Belgian city of Mouscron. She managed to snap a photo of the animal calmly standing near a pedestrian crossing and posted it on social media, writing: "Kangaroo at the Luingne Herseaux roundabout—impossible to approach."

Since then, the wallabies have been seen crossing between Mouscron and the nearby French town of Wattrelos, sparking fascination—and some confusion—among local residents.

Authorities from both sides of the border have joined efforts to locate and capture the animals safely. A drone was deployed to track their movements, and an appeal for public sightings was launched. Despite these efforts, the agile marsupials have managed to stay out of reach.

Officials have identified the animals’ owner, who reportedly lives nearby but is currently on vacation. It remains unclear how the wallabies escaped.

While wallabies are not native to Europe, they are occasionally kept as exotic pets or in private collections. Experts warn that although the animals are generally not dangerous, they should not be approached and must be captured with care.

In the meantime, the two marsupials continue to enjoy their unscheduled European adventure—delighting onlookers and keeping animal control teams on their toes.