Kangaroo wandering around Adelaide suburbs holds up train services
A kangaroo spotted lost and wandering around Adelaide's southern suburbs has held up train services while police and rail authorities move in to try and contain it.
Residents have reported seeing the kangaroo around the Marion and Morphetville area for the past week.
Local resident Paul Gardner-Stephen told 891 ABC Adelaide he first spotted the kangaroo more than a week ago and then saw it again on Thursday.
He said he was concerned for the safety of the kangaroo as well as local residents.
"Yesterday it was sitting inside the rail corridor ... just sitting next to the train line," Mr Gardner-Stephen said.
"It's been holding up train services on the Seaford line.
"I've been concerned about the impact it can have on other people and just on the welfare for this animal."
Mr Gardner-Stephen said a police officer and worker from the rail operations had opened one of the gates to try and encourage the kangaroo to exit the rail corridor, but were not able to catch the animal and remove it.
He said from his inquiries it was difficult to find anyone who had the jurisdiction or ability to rescue wildlife in the suburbs.
Rescuers report a big increase in animals on the loose
Dorothy Berris is president of the Native Animal Network, a voluntary group that can be called in when needed to help return trapped animals to their original habitat.
"We have a catching team and people with the expertise to catch these kangaroos," Ms Berris said.
However, she said it was impossible to do much if the animal had not been contained.
"If the animal is not confined and is running around the streets, then by the time we get somebody there it's probably disappeared.
"And even if it hasn't they're very very difficult to catch."
Ms Berris said the Native Animal Network had seen a big increase in the number of animals making their way to the suburbs.
"We have never ever had so many animals out on the loose. It's just amazing," she said.
"We've been wondering why as there should be plenty of feed still out there for them. It might be a water problem.
"We've never had the volume of animals we're getting now."
