Wallaby disrupts motorway traffic

18 January 2010, 9:07

Motorway traffic was brought to a standstill in Blackpool - as police attempted to catch an escaped wallaby.

The privately-owned marsupial was seen bouncing down a road near to Junction 4 of the M55, reports the Daily Telegraph.

Police slowed traffic while RSPCA inspectors attempted to catch the animal. A Lancashire Police helicopter was also at the scene.

The drama began when several motorists called 999. It ended four hours later when a vet was drafted in from Blackpool Zoo to sedate the wallaby with a tranquilliser dart.

The animal, which was cornered by police in a garden, is now safely back with its owner.

Insp Alistair Campbell said: "Eventually we were able to usher the wallaby away from the M55.

"It's fair enough to say we've never had a situation like this before. We had to consult the RSPCA to help us work out how to capture the wallaby."

http://web.orange.co.uk/article/quirkies/wallaby_disrupts_motorway_traffic