Wallaby spotted in County Derry

A wallaby has been spotted wandering the countryside of County Derry. 

The animal native to Australia, was spotted between Draperstown and the Glenshane on the rural roads of the area. 

In the video the animal can be seen hopping in front of the car bringing bemusement and disbelief to the passengers. 

Stevie Gribín who captured the video said: "I couldn't believe it. I was was absolutely shocked that it was in the middle of the road up between Moneymore and Cookstown."

The macropod took in its unusual Irish surroundings but seemed comfortable thousand of miles away from its native Australia, where it is the nickname of the national rugby union team. 

This is not the first report of a wallaby lost in Northern Ireland, with footage of a similar creature was in the Lisburn area of County Down last summer. 

And it comes two years on from a similar incident when the public were warned of reports a wallaby was on the loose in Co Tyrone.

The escaped animal, named Winnie, was later recovered “safe and well” after it went missing following the delivery of two baby wallabies to the Glenpark Estate in Omagh.

It is thought that wallabies were established in England in the UK around 1900. Later introductions on Scottish islands happening around the 1970s. The total population of Red-necked wallabies in the UK is currently unknown. 

The USPCA have been asked for comment. 

A Mid Ulster Council spokesperson said they are aware of reports of a wallaby sighting. Members of the public should not approach the animal directly and should contact their local PSNI Neighbourhood Team on 101 or via the PSNI website at https://www.psni.police.uk/about-us/local-policing/mid-ulster) to report it.