ROYAL OAK, Mich. (CBS DETROIT) — The Detroit Zoo says it will cancel the search for a 5-month-old wallaby that went missing last weekend.
“It is with a heavy heart that we announce that we will stop searching for the wallaby joey who was discovered missing on Sunday, May 8,” zoo officials said in a Facebook post on Friday.
“We have exhausted all resources at our disposal, spent dozens of hours reviewing all trail cameras and security footage, and thoroughly searched the zoo and surrounding areas. We are heartbroken that nothing has revealed the location of this kangaroo to us. At this point, after so many days away from the mother, we do not believe that this Joey can still be alive, “they added.
Animal care staff say that when they checked the Australian outback adventure habitat on Sunday, the kangaroo had disappeared. Surveillance cameras were being checked throughout the zoo.
The joey is still nursing, and zookeepers were concerned that it might not survive an extended amount of time away from its mother’s pouch.
Officials say they will review policies and procedures to “make sure we are doing everything we can to preserve the lives and well-being of the animals in our care.”
They say the mother, 4-year-old Sprocket, appears to be healthy and well.
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