The search for the 5-year-old marsupial began Monday morning, when Storm managed to escape from an animal sanctuary in the Jupiter Farms area of Palm Beach County. As the young kangaroo made its way across South Florida, multiple videos surfaced of Storm gallivanting around various neighborhoods.
#EXCLUSIVE - @Thomas_Forester interviews owner of Storm and 6 other kangaroos - he’s # “heart-broken” after #FWC takes the marsupials from the property because of safety issues @CBS12 https://t.co/LUvQjMc1Wh pic.twitter.com/r5er6LJYa2
— PaulCBS12 (@PaulCBS12) September 28, 2018
Westergard told the Post that he wasn't sure how the kangaroo escaped from him and his family's farm, where he keeps six more kangaroos and other exotic animals.
Luckily, the search for Florida 'roo is finally over.
As of Friday, all seven kangaroos were removed from Jupiter Farms sanctuary after state wildlife officers reportedly found "deficiencies" in the animals' enclosure, according to the Post. The animals are now located at an undisclosed temporary licensed facility, a spokesman for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission told the Post.
Westergard is reportedly trying to rectify "the fencing and caging issues that were identified during the inspection subsequent to Storm's escape."
The FWC says captive wildlife violations involving enclosure issues are considering up to second-degree misdemeanors, with a potential $500 fine or a 60-day maximum sentence in jail.
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