The British Wallaby Survey

[Chris Mullins]

Dear friends,

As you're most proberbly aware, I'm trying to conduct a survey on our British Wallabies, I've already taken in over 50 seperate reports and they're still coming.

However it's far to early as yet to determine just how many Wallabies there may be in the UK.

I've recieved several reports of posible colonies around the British Isles, but as yet not been able to confirm these, so if there's anyone in or near to the areas of the counties mentioned below. that would like to help in this survey, then please let me know.

Also, if you're aware of any other possible colonies in the UK, then please get in touch with us at: [e-mail]

SCOTLAND
Loch Lomond
Argyle & Bute

ENGLAND
Buckinghamshire
Derbyshire
Durham
East Sussex
Oxfordshire
Kent
Newcastle on Tyne
North Yorkshire
West Sussex

OTHER ISLES
Ballaugh, Isle of Man

[blackcatswhiskers]

hi chris, its Rose from northants here, i've e-mailed you with the following details but i thought i'd post them on here too. while working away this morning i was listening to bbc radio northampton when a report came in that a wallaby had been captured in the area of pitsford in northamptonshire. the report actually came in at 10.30 am this morning. they were actually appealing for anyone that had lost one. i went over to pitsford village but no one seemed to know anything about it, so i drove round the reserviour looking for rspca vans or any other animal rescue centre vans but unfortunately i couldnt find anything unusual going on. so i am about to go on our local newspapers web site to see if theres anything on there. i'll keep you posted.

[Chris Mullins]

This is great Rose, just the sort of thing we need, as many reports as possible, might not be long before they're as common in the UK as our Munjac Deer.

You certainly done well riding out looking for RSPCA or Animal Rescue vans, well done and good thinking, even though it never turned anything up, you never know do you.

It would be great if you could obtain information regards the pricise location the animal was seen before it's capture.

I think these animals, like others are utilising railway lines to move about, but this is only a wild guess at present, although this one may just be another escaped pet (like our Derbyshire Wallaby, which I haven't heard anything else about), as we've had a lot of strong winds of recent and enclosures will get damaged eventually.

[lisa]

Sounds like Rose's wallaby is still on the loose, and there are some more in the area too.

Lisa

Hunt for 3ft tall Houdini
A RUNAWAY wallaby has sent staff at Moulton College hopping mad because it escaped just days after arriving at the campus.
The fugitive marsupial, which has been nicknamed Houdini, bounced out of its enclosure at the college's Holcot site on Saturday morning and has been on the loose ever since.
There has been a reported sighting just over a mile away, in the village of Pitsford.
It is the third time in the past six months that a wallaby has been seen in Northamptonshire, following sightings near Kettering Road and Duston in Northampton were reported to the Chronicle & Echo last August.
Where that animal came from remains a mystery.
Houdini was one of four Bennett Wallabies brought to Moulton College last week.
They had been recruited to give animal care students a wider variety of breeds to look after during their course.
But since the wallaby's disappearing act on Saturday, staff from the college's animal care team, along with RSPCA officers, have been sent on a wild wallaby chase as they attempt to track him down.
They were contacted by a member of the public, who saw the wallaby in the garden of their house in Grange Lane, Pitsford, on Tuesday afternoon.
But, by the time they arrived in Pitsford, elusive Houdini had vanished again.
Sophie Wilkinson, of animal welfare charity the RSPCA, said: "The wallaby had been seen in someone's back garden, but by the time we got there it had escaped. The college are trying to find out where it has gone.
"But wallabies are not dangerous and they are capable of surviving in the wild, although it is quite rare that we get called in to try and find one."
Houdini is described as just under 3ft tall, with soft grey fur, a reddish-brown neck and black paws.
Helen Goatley, of Moulton College, said: "He is a very friendly animal, just like a big bunny rabbit. He likes to eat bread and bananas.
"All we are asking is that if someone sees him to pick up the phone and call the college. We hope we find him soon."
The wallabies are housed in their own plot of land, next to alpacas, llamas and goats at Moulton College's Animal Care Centre.
The college has also seen the arrival of other exotic creatures – including Africa zebra grass mice and fat tail gerbils – and are hoping to have some Kune Kune pigs to soon.
Anyone who spots the missing Houdini wallaby can contact the college on Northampton 491131.
[e-mail]
17 February 2005
www.northamptontoday.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=255&ArticleID=948596

[Chris Mullins]

Thanks for this Lisa, I've now contacted Alison at the Chronicle and Echo, regards any updates, and awaiting her reply.

I'll keep everyone posted as to replies I may recieve.

I've also copied and pasted the report onto the yahoo's group reports list.

[Chris Mullins]

Hello all, I've recieved this email from a witness, that had read our article regarding the Ankerdine Hill Beast and Wallabies in the Worcester Evening News, I'd like to hear your opinons as to what you think it might be.


First Post

After reading your article in the Evening News I wanted to tell you what we see last Sunday February 13th. Driving back from Wales (will have to ask my Welsh friend exactly where we were), it was late and dark no traffic a large animal ran infront of my car we both saw it luckily we swerved or hell knows what damaged it would cause. We both looked at one another and said what the F### was that.It seemed in slow motion and we both got a good look. Very large animal moved like an otter, long tail size of a medium dog dark grey or brown. Dont know if this is any use to u if so email me back if u like.


Second Post After I'd asked for more specific information regards the animal.

Hi sorry yes after talking to my friend it was between Ragaln and Monmouth the animal was about the size of a small labrador and had no markings as such just dark brown or greyish coat. Hope this helps we spoke about it still cant believe what we saw but I told him about your report and after you mentioned wallabies he agreeed that was probably the closest description. We have both travelled alot around the world so have seen some strange things. Any more I can do please ask.


So what do you think it could be?

/me An Otter

/me A Wallaby

/me The Ankerdine Hill Beast

/me Something Else Entirely

[Chris Mullins]

Thursday 3rd March 2005, Kazz and I met over at Junction 10 of the M40, to go and look at one or two possible viewing stations for future events concerning our British Wallabies over there.

We spent most of the day looking around and covered a lot of ground in the time we were there, we found the site we'd been informed of but it was far to small and enclosed to hopefully see anything regards our marsupials.

Half time we returned to Junction 10 for refreashments where I was treated to a businessman lunch (cup o' tea and a burger) ..... thanks Kazz

We both commented however regards the area itself being typical for these creatures, with patches of scrubland all over.

It was decided that next time we were to visit the area, we'd take some posters down there with us to put in libraries and appropriate shop windows asking for further information on our possible colonies and viewing stations etc.

If anyone would like to help us in writing out and designing this poster, could you please let us know.

Well even though our search for for our Buckinghamshire Wallabies was fruitless that day, we still had a d**n good time there, and I told to Kazz I'd tell to you all of the moment that she suddenly hit her breaks saying sh*t as she slowed right down and smiled at a speed camera ;D ...... it was priceless, and had me in stitches ....... nice one Kazz ......

[redditchlady]

Well, there is no reply as such to that 1 Chris. If I'd got done for speeding, how on earth could I explain the fact that we were on the hunt for the elusive wallaby wearing a tutu and a bowler hat!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tee hee hee
Kazz ;D

[Chris Mullins]

Just Flutter you eyelashes and use your charm, but if that fails ..... lie !!!

;D