A local Texas police department was in for quite a treat last week when they received an emergency call informing them that kangaroos were on the loose in the neighborhood. Shortly after the call, officers hopped into action to apprehend the wayward animals and bring an end to the kangaroo kerfuffle.

In a May 22 post on Facebook, the Lufkin Police Department explained that on Sunday morning, “officers were sent to a report of a KANGAROO hopping down Fuller Springs Drive.” The post also included a video captured by the couple who first reported seeing the kangaroos frolicking about the neighborhood. Lufkin is located just 60 miles west of the Texas-Louisiana border. 

Text in the video indicated that “Kangaroo Jack was spotted leaving his residence today along Fuller Springs, taking residents by surprise since the star has been living his life behind the scenes ever since his movie premiered years ago.”

However, the police department assured viewers that “No wallabies were harmed in his safe return back to his residence after a Sunday stroll through the surrounding neighborhood.”

The report explained that the owner “had left the gate open on accident after other circumstances with the star’s roommates at the address.”

In the video, a man can be heard telling the police department that his wife believed the kangaroo was a dog at first, and laughter ensues in the background. “We’re on our way to go eat breakfast, and I look, and I’m like, ‘That’s a freaking kangaroo!’ and it just starts hopping, coming down the road,” the man said.

It was later revealed that two kangaroos had actually made an escape that day.

A police department representative wrote in an email that they are “grateful the kangaroos made it home safely,” and that “It was a call no one could have ever predicted, proving once again that life is stranger than fiction.”

In an update, Shelby Lowery, the owner of the kangaroos, told people on Facebook that “Red and Hopper are doing great,” and described the moment when she found out her beloved marsupials had flown the coop, or cage, or whatever they put kangaroos in these days:

UPDATE: Red and Hopper are doing great!! Although Fuller Springs Dr. got to experience of what most haven’t seen before. This by far was my worst nightmare! Sunday morning at 7am I get a call from a friend unbeknownst the words about to come out of her mouth. I jumped out of bed, grabbed what ever clothing I could to go wrangle some kangaroos in our neighborhood. So much was running through my head… how many kangaroos got out, is one or more dead, did any get hit by a vehicle, attacked by dogs or even worse potentially injuring someone! There were so many scenarios running through my mind. But thank goodness after assessing the situation, getting a headcount of all of our Roos we were only missing our two males. I love my kangaroos and I am so happy to have them back safe, and doing well. I’m sure they are very sore from running laps around Fuller Springs. We would like to thank everyone that reached out. My husband and I can relax now but will also be DOUBLE CHECKING our gate locks from here on out!

Kangaroos are typically associated with Australia, boxing rings, and that song, “Waltzing Matilda.” But Texas is one of few states where one can keep them as pets.