SEALY, Texas — The search is on for a missing kangaroo, which was last seen hopping down a road in Texas.
Rowdy, a 3-year-old kangaroo, somehow managed to open the gate of his pen, causing concern for his owner, Marsha Matus. She expressed her worries, stating, “I’m very scared for him because I know he’s scared.”
On the morning of December 18, Rowdy was last seen on Pyka Road near I-10 in Austin County, coinciding with the time that Sunny 99.1 morning DJ Dana Tyson was en route to work.
“4:15. Totally foggy,” she explained. “Never in my wildest dreams did I think a kangaroo would jump in front of my car.”
Tyson caught the kangaroo on camera and later discovered that Matus was missing hers.
“He is our baby. He is not your stereotypical kangaroo. He is our pet,” Matus said.
Marsha Matus explained that after escaping his pen, Rowdy leaped over the perimeter fence and fled. Daphne, another kangaroo companion, only made it to the yard before stopping. Meanwhile, the youngest kangaroo, Rocky, who is still a baby, remained inside the house. Matus, who proudly displays kangaroo signs, yard art, and a personalized license plate reading “Roo Mom,” adores her kangaroos.
“They’re unique,” she said. “I’m worried to death.”
Kangaroos are nocturnal, so Matus thinks Rowdy has spent the days bedded down in a field.
Thursday night, a stranger, Andy Cevallos, drove from Bellville to help search for Rowdy using a drone equipped with thermal imaging. Matus and her husband also deployed their drone. Friends and neighbors were searching, too.
Matus said kangaroos scare easily. Since Rowdy is neutered, he is not aggressive but won’t go to a stranger.
“If anyone sees him, they should contact the Austin County Sheriff’s Office and DPS. I’ve contacted the game warden out here.”
She is surprised that there have been no other sightings since Tyson’s.
“I’m hoping for a Christmas miracle, so Rowdy will come home for Christmas,” Tyson said.
Matus hopes Rowdy is home sooner than that.
“I just hope he’s safe because I know he’s scared. I just want him home.”
Anyone with information about Rowdy’s whereabouts is urged to contact the Austin County Sheriff’s Office at 979-865-3111.
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