Wallaby spotted in the wild 20 miles from Perth, Scotland

A wallaby has been spotted in the wild around 20 miles from Perth in Scotland.

The marsupial – native to Australia – was spotted on Glascorrie Road near Crieff amid fears it may have lost its bearings somewhat and hopped off towards the wrong Perth.

It is the latest in several sightings in the Crieff area over the years and nearby Perthshire Zoo at Auchingarrich – which has its own wallabies – has insisted they have not had any escapees.

Perth and Kinross Council said it had been contacted by a number of concerned residents last Thursday who had spotted wallabies near Crieff.

The council was also quick to clarify it was not April Fool’s Day.

In a somewhat unusual Facebook post last Friday, the council said: “Thanks to everyone who notified us of the wallabies spotted near Crieff on Thursday.

“We understand they are part of a wild population in Scotland. Sightings can be reported to tracking websites such as iRecord.org.uk or iNaturalist.org.

“And before anyone checks the calendar, yes, it really is October 23, not April 1.”

Several people suggested they might have escaped from the nearby wildlife park, now known as Perthshire Zoo.

However, Perthshire Zoo said their wallabies were all safe and sound but did express concern that nearly all the local sightings had been of a lone wallaby and appealed for help.

A statement issued by Perthshire Zoo said: “There’s been lots of chat about wallaby sightings in Perthshire recently — how exciting!

“We want to clear one thing up first: our wallabies are all safe and sound at Perthshire Zoo — we’ve never had a wallaby escape. These beautiful creatures appear to be part of a wild population that’s lived in the wider area for many years.

“Here’s what IS worrying us though… nearly every sighting is just one single wallaby on its own. Wallabies are incredibly social — they live in mobs, they groom each other, they play, they keep each other safe. A lone wallaby is a concern.”

The zoo has asked anyone who spots a wallaby in the area to let them know.

Perthshire Zoo added: “Please don’t disturb them or go looking for them. If you are driving, remain in your car.

“We’re collating sightings alongside local experts to get a better picture of how they’re doing. https://form.jotform.com/262967155280060

“And if you’d like to meet our own fabulous, happy mob — they’re waiting for you at Perthshire Zoo!”

Scotland does famously have its own wild colony of wallabies. The Countess of Arran introduced red-necked wallabies to the island of Inchconnachan in Loch Lomond in the 1940s.

The Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals would advise anyone who might come across a wallaby in the area “to either contact Police Scotland, if it’s potentially posing a traffic problem, or contact the nearby wildlife park”.