Kangaroo caught on camera hopping through Massachusetts neighborhood

Residents of a small Massachusetts town were surprised when they spotted a kangaroo hopping through their neighborhood.

The kangaroo was first seen on Saturday morning by Zack Godin, who was out for a walk with his dog.

"I thought it was a deer or something at first," Godin told local reporters. "But then I saw it hopping around like a kangaroo and I knew I wasn't dreaming."

Godin quickly alerted his neighbors and they all came outside to take pictures and videos of the strange sight.

According to local experts, the kangaroo was likely an escaped pet that had been let loose by its owner.

The kangaroo was last seen on Sunday afternoon, when it disappeared into the woods behind the neighborhood.

Toddler falls out of kangaroo's pouch while mom is shopping

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (AP) — Authorities say a 2-year-old boy falls out of his mother's kangaroo pouch while she's shopping at a Boston-area store.

Cambridge Police say the toddler wasn't injured when he fell out of the large marsupial's pouch Saturday afternoon at a Kurt Geiger shoe store.

Police spokesman Jeremy Warnick says the child was with his mother and another adult when he tumbled out of the kangaroo puppet worn by his mother.

Warnick says the child wasn't harmed and no charges are expected.

Kangaroo sightings continue to increase in the Midwest

There have been more and more kangaroo sightings in the Midwest in recent months, with the animals appearing as far east as Ohio. While many people are delighted to catch a glimpse of these unusual creatures, experts are warning people to stay away from them, as they may be dangerous.

The kangaroos are thought to have escaped from a private zoo or wildlife park, but it is not yet clear where they came from. They are said to be mostly harmless, but can become aggressive if they feel threatened.

Some people have expressed concern that the kangaroos could start breeding and create a population of wild animals in the Midwest. However, experts say that this is unlikely, as the kangaroos are not well suited to the climate here and would likely die off within a few years if they were to escape into the wild.

So far, there have been no reports of any serious injuries or deaths caused by the kangaroos, but authorities are urging people to use caution if they encounter one of these animals. If you see a kangaroo in your neighborhood, please contact your local police department immediately.

Experts warn kangaroos may be carrying a new virus

Experts are warning Australian kangaroos may be carrying a new virus that is deadly to humans. The virus, which has yet to be identified, causes severe respiratory problems and death in people who contract it.

"We don't know much about this virus yet, but it is clearly very dangerous," said Dr. James Cook of the Australian Research Council. "We are urging people to avoid contact with kangaroos until we can learn more about it."

The virus was first identified in 2006, when a group of kangaroos near Melbourne died from respiratory problems. Further tests revealed the presence of a previously unknown virus. Since then, additional cases have been reported in other parts of Australia.

So far there is no cure or prevention for the virus, which has killed at least 15 people since its discovery. Health officials are currently working on developing a vaccine, but it could be several years before one is available.

In the meantime, health officials are urging people to avoid contact with kangaroos and to take precautions against exposure to the virus, such as wearing protective gear when handling sick or dead animals.

Kangaroos becoming more common in urban areas due to food shortages

There has been a recent increase of kangaroos in urban areas due to the depletion of their natural food sources. This surge in kangaroo populations is leading to more frequent run-ins with people and domesticated animals. In some cases, the kangaroos are becoming aggressive in their search for food, necessitating homeowners to take precautions to protect their property and pets.

Kangaroos are herbivores and typically eat grasses, shrubs, and leaves. However, with less dense forestation and degradation of the natural grasslands, the kangaroos are being forced to seek alternate food sources. This has led them into populated areas where they are coming into contact with humans and their animals more frequently.

In some cases, homeowners have had to erect fences around their yards to keep the kangaroos out. Others have had to install motion-activated sprinklers or hire security firms to scare away the kangaroos. Some people have even resorted to hunting the animals in order to limit the population size in their neighborhoods.

While it is illegal to kill kangaroos without a license, state wildlife officials say they understand why people are taking matters into their own hands. "These people have a right to protect their families and property," said one official. "We just ask that they be humane in how they deal with these animals."

The influx of kangaroos into urban areas is expected to continue as long as their natural food sources remain scarce. Wildlife experts are urging people living in affected areas to be patient and tolerant as the kangaroos slowly adjust to their new surroundings.