IT'S not unusual to see motorists running red lights, but it is unusual to see a kangaroo skipping through red lights.
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That was the case on Monday morning when residents were greeted by a three-year-old eastern grey kangaroo roaming the streets of central Wagga.
In a video posted on Facebook, the wayward male kangaroo skipped through the lights at Berry and Morgan streets.
He ended up hiding among some broken shopping trolleys at the car park of Wagga Marketplace before being taken to Kooringal Veterinary Hospital, senior veterinarian Mark Sayer said.
"Witnesses said it was hopping along then took a turn into the carpark," Dr Sayer said.
"We were notified by council rangers and we went down to help.
"It would be looking for safety after being caught up in town with people and traffic.
"The car park would've been dark and safe, so he thought."
Mr Sayer and his team sedated the 26kg kangaroo before taking him to the hospital for further checkups and observation.
"He only had bleeding to the nails on his feet from hopping on roads, but was in good condition generally," Dr Sayer said.
"It was a tricky situation as wild kangaroos are nervous and not used to human contact, but the security did a good job before we arrived."
After examinations, the kangaroo was released at a safe site.
Asked about how the young kangaroo may have come into town, Dr Sayer said it may have decided to go off on its own from the pack.
"There are some mobs on Willans Hill and down near the river - I suspect he may have come from around there," he said.
"They're intelligent animals but are prone to panicking if they're separated.
"People talk about kangaroos coming into town more frequently, but I've only had the occasional sighting. If they end up in the CBD, we can assume they were frightened or disoriented."
