LONDON -- We're guessing this one won't be too exciting for Australian readers, but in Britain it's not every day the police have to track down an escaped wallaby.
The public were first alerted to the floppy-eared fugitive's presence on Saturday, when Gloucestershire Police issued the following tweet.
Bit of an unusual one. If anyone has lost a kangaroo in the Dursley area please contact us on 101 and quote incident 462. We have found one!— Glos Police (@Glos_Police) September 26, 2015
(At this stage the police seemed to think they had a kangaroo on their hands, but the runaway was in fact later revealed to be a wallaby.)
The police's tweet (and corresponding Facebook post) spread quickly through social media. It wasn't long before the jokes started.
@Glos_Police @Curtistho_ Should have tied it down— well loved stories (@ms_peaceweaver) September 26, 2015
Eventually, the situation developed
Kangaroo update - we have it cornered 'outback' of a house in Woodmancote but no owner identified yet.— Glos Police (@Glos_Police) September 26, 2015
Keen not to let such a golden opportunity slip by, Gloucestershire police crammed in as many puns as possible.
Not the usual bouncers that we're interacting with on a Saturday night— Glos Police (@Glos_Police) September 26, 2015
Finally, a picture of the suspect was released.
Have you lost a wallaby? 'Skippy' seen around the Woodmancote near Dursley. Owners pse call 101 quote 462 of 26 Sept. pic.twitter.com/aq9LpFiQJG— Glos Police (@Glos_Police) September 27, 2015
Later, one bemused citizen shared his account of the incident on Gloucestershire Constabulary's Facebook page.
Despite the close call on Saturday, Gloucestershire Police sent Mashable a statement saying the wallaby has yet to be apprehended.
"Officers were called at around 9.30pm (26 September) when a member of the public reported seeing the animal," reads the statement. "Officers joined in the hunt and the animal was seen on the Uley Road, and in gardens in Blackhills and Stanthill Drive."
"It's now gone to ground, possibly in wooded area in Woodmancote, and police are appealing for the owners to come forward.
"The animal may be distressed and they are strong and powerful animals so members of the public are advised not to approach it.
"If there are further sightings of the animal, or if anyone has any knowledge about where this animal has escaped from, please call 101 quoting incident number 462 of 26 September 2015."