Alabama Highway Shut Down Due to Escaped Kangaroo

Traffic on a section of Interstate 85 in Alabama was temporarily halted on Tuesday, April 29, after a kangaroo escaped and made its way onto the busy roadway. The animal, named Sheila, caused a two-vehicle crash in Macon County but was not injured, according to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.

The incident occurred near the town of Tuskegee, approximately 40 miles east of Montgomery. Both northbound and southbound lanes of the interstate were shut down as state troopers and the kangaroo’s owner worked together to safely remove the animal from the area. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency confirmed in a statement that the kangaroo was involved in the incident. “A two-vehicle crash occurred… involving a kangaroo,” the agency said.

According to officials, Sheila was eventually captured without harm. Video footage shared online showed the kangaroo hopping beside the highway before being recovered. The animal was seen moving slowly on a grassy hill shortly after being hit with a tranquilizer. In a Facebook live video, Macon County Sheriff Andre Brunson confirmed the situation. “When somebody said there was a kangaroo of course I didn’t believe it, and nobody believed it. But I’m looking at him,” Brunson said. “We see a little bit of everything here,” he added.

Austin Price, a driver who witnessed the animal on the side of the road, captured a video of the kangaroo bouncing alongside his vehicle. In the video, Price can be heard saying, “Where are you going, buddy?” as Sheila moved along the roadside.

The kangaroo’s owner, Patrick Starr, later spoke with the Associated Press about the incident. Starr explained that his family operates a pumpkin patch and petting zoo in the area, and while Sheila is part of the group of animals on the property, she is primarily a pet. “She’s back home safe. She’s up. She’s not sedated anymore. She’s eating. She’s drinking. She’s not injured,” Starr said.

Starr also confirmed that after being captured, Sheila was examined and treated by veterinarians at the Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine to ensure she had not suffered any injuries during the incident or capture.

No human injuries were immediately reported, and it remains unclear how exactly the kangaroo managed to escape or how it entered the roadway. Authorities have not released further details on whether any charges will be filed or if any regulations were violated.

Kangaroos are native to Australia and are not typically found in the United States, making sightings on public roads extremely rare. Sheila’s unexpected appearance on the highway quickly gained attention online and among local residents, with many surprised by the nature of the call law enforcement had to respond to.

This marks the second recent incident in the southern U.S. involving an exotic animal disrupting traffic. In early June, a pet zebra named Ed was captured in Tennessee after a weeklong escape that included several highway sightings and even a helicopter rescue. Both incidents have raised public curiosity and concern about the ownership and containment of exotic pets in residential or farm settings.

While no state officials or legislators have commented on the matter so far, the events have highlighted the challenges of owning non-native animals and ensuring they are kept in secure environments.

For now, Sheila has returned home safely, and Interstate 85 has fully reopened. Authorities have not indicated any ongoing investigation into the incident.