Caught on the hop; WALLABY AND HER BABY IN AN ENGLISH GARDEN.

Byline: RICHARD SMITH

ERR... shouldn't roo be Down Under?

This snap confirms a male wallaby that fled a pet zoo two years ago is alive and well - and has found a Sheila to mate with.

Brian Nash, 39, photographed the mother in a neighbour's lawn with a joey tucked in her pouch.

Brian, of St Breward, Cornwall, said: "I knew straight away what it was. She didn't seem overly concerned or nervous and even started following me.

"Then a cat jumped out and scared her off. She bounced off over a hedge and was gone.

"I couldn't believe what I was seeing. I know these creatures are from Australia, so it seems odd one would turn up in my back yard."

Wallaby is a name for some 30 species of macropod, which are smaller than kangaroos. No parks or farms in Cornwall have reported a missing female and it is thought she escaped from a private collection or was dumped.

The suspected dad fled Trevathan Farm, near St Endellion, two years ago. Owner Mark Symons said: "They are tough creatures. He is a healthy boy and would be capable of surviving for years yet. The chances are that he found a mate.

"Wallabies find each other - they're renowned for it. This is almost certainly his mate and joey."

But he warned: "Once they start breeding, they don't stop. They'll be everywhere soon." Voice of Mirror: Page 8

Pocket guide

There is a colony of 100 wallabies on the Isle of Man established after a breeding pair escaped from a wildlife park

CAPTION(S):

GOING She hops off down drive SURPRISE Brian Nash took snap