Was that a kangaroo running around Pierce County? No, it was a wallaby, deputies say

A wallaby was spotted on the loose in south Pierce County on Sunday, according to the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department.

About 6:40 a.m., 911 began receiving calls from residents who saw the animal in the area of B Street at 158th Street East, which is on the border between Parkland and Spanaway, sheriff’s Sgt. Darren Moss said.

Wallabies are marsupials found primarily in Australia. They look similar to kangaroos but are smaller.

A sheriff’s deputy responded as well as two Washington State Patrol troopers and the animal’s owner, Moss said.

All arrived about 7:10 a.m., then spent the next 15 minutes trying to corral the critter, he said.

About 7:25 a.m., they had one in custody, Moss added.

It was not immediately clear how the animal got loose.

Moss said Sunday afternoon there is a petting zoo in the area, but he hadn’t immediately confirmed whether the wallaby was from that business.

Moss confirmed later Sunday the wallaby had escaped from Debbie Doolittle’s Petting Zoo.