High-jumping hijinks before kangaroo flees petting zoo

How does a kangaroo escape a petting zoo?. If you're Chesney the kangaroo, you scale a 2.5 metre fence and go on the lam for three days, giving your keeper sleepless nights and sending residents of a small US town on a search that would end happily on Saturday.. The unprecedented leap at Sunshine Farm in Necedah, Wisconsin, last week was precipitated by some stray dogs that rushed the enclosure and spooked the 16-month-old Chesney, his keeper, Debbie Marland said..

She and friends then trekked hither and yon in this town about 255km northwest of Milwaukee.. They chased reports of sightings and even rented heat-seeking drones, which proved effective in narrowing down the wanderings of the high-jumping adventurer.. "I was putting on about 37,000 steps per day looking for him," Marland said on Sunday..

Chesney and his roommate Kenny are named for country-music star Kenny Chesney and live with 25 animals at Sunshine Farm.. Chesney escaped about 11:15 am on Wednesday and although he stayed within a five kilometre radius of the farm, he kept his pursuers guessing.. According to Marland's friend, Stacy Brereton, who helps out at the farm, Friday was a tough day..

No one had spotted Chesney all day and they feared he had wandered farther afield.. Then on Friday night, Chesney was discovered nestled under a tree in a wooded area.. A group of searchers surrounded him, but ever fleet of foot - 32km/h is no stretch for him - Chesney eluded them..

Marland returned to the area on Saturday with Chesney's favourite treats and pieces of material that had his and Kenny's scent.. Other searchers joined her but with no sign of the kangaroo, they started packing up.. Just then, they spotted the long-eared escapee..

"I just stayed calm .... and sat and let him come to me," Brereton said.. Chesney heard the voices and wanted attention, said Brereton, who eventually scooped up the 18kg marsupial..

"I do believe he heard our comforting voices, he smelled the familiar smells of home and it just made him feel safe," said Brereton.. "I'm just glad he loves me as much as I love him." Marland said the "the community really did come together" for the kangaroo, who is now something of a celebrity.. A Sunshine Farm fan has written a children's book about Chesney's adventures, which Marland hopes to publish to recoup some of the search costs..

Kenny, who with his marsupial mate has the run of Marland's house, was happy to be reunited with Chesney.. Though hungry and tired, Chesney was otherwise healthy.. A new mesh top will be placed over the kangaroo enclosure to prevent any more high-jumping hijinks..

Australian Associated Press.