Unexpected Bunnings 'visitor' highlights sad trend: 'Poor guy'
It’s not uncommon for Australia’s wildlife to be spotted in unlikely places, but it speaks to a much bigger problem.
Bunnings shoppers were greeted by an "unusual customer" this week after a kangaroo was spotted in a store. The native animal was filmed roaming the outdoor furniture section before stopping to take in its surroundings.
A woman inside Western Australia's Albany store captured the unusual scene on camera before sharing it online where it received a mixed response from Aussies. "Looking for a new outdoor setting. Pouch was checked on the way out," she joked.
While some couldn't help but be amused by the unexpected store visit, others noted the "sad" issue likely contributing to its "bizarre" appearance.
"So sad, poor baby, where's his habitat gone? "one questioned. "Poor guy," another expressed. "Aww it must be frightened," another pointed out.
Earlier this year, a barn owl found itself stuck inside a Bunnings store for nine whole days. Sadly, even after being freed, it died from starvation, rescuer Nigel Williamson told Yahoo News at the time. Meanwhile, a video shared on TikTok shows another roo hopping through a Queensland Bunnings store in May.
Bunnings confirmed the recent incident to Yahoo. "Our Albany store had an unexpected visitor early Monday morning when a kangaroo hopped in via our drive-through area," Danielle Walker, Bunnings Regional Manager said.
"We thank our team for their assistance in quickly ushering the kangaroo out safely and helping to keep customers shopping with us at a distance". It's not clear how long the animal was inside the store.
Sad reality for kangaroos in Aussie towns
It’s not uncommon for Australia’s wildlife to be spotted in unlikely places. Yesterday, part of the car park at Melbourne Airport had been restricted after a kangaroo was found roaming the space.
"Our team safely assisted a kangaroo back to its natural habitat," a spokesperson told Yahoo on Tuesday. "We temporarily closed access to one level of the car park while Wildlife Victoria safely relocated the kangaroo."
Meanwhile, diners at a KFC store in Busselton, WA last month were shocked to see a kangaroo hopping throughout the store, looking for an escape. A KFC spokesperson confirmed with Yahoo News at the time the animal escaped without injury before hopping away.
In that same month, a koala walked into an IGA in the tiny Victorian town of Meeniyan. While last year, a kangaroo was photographed hopping through the streets of Campbelltown, southwest of Sydney.
While native animals have been taken for granted as a fixture in our backyards, abundant species are increasingly being squeezed out as developers build housing that’s needed for the human population. The habitat loss is thought to be contributing to animals ending up in seemingly random places with nowhere to go.
If you spot a sick or injured native animal in your state there are volunteer wildlife services available to help 24/7. In Western Australia, people can call the Wildcare Helpline on 08 9474 9055.
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