Two Wallabies were seen in Mouscron (Belgium) then in Wattrelos (France). These small marsupials, usually from Australia but authorized as pets in Wallonia, have escaped the vigilance of their owners, currently abroad. Despite the research carried out by the Belgian authorities and reporting to the French police, the two animals are still on the run.
It is an unusual silhouette that lurks on border roads between France and Belgium.
Hairy, barely a few centimeters high, and which moves in small leaps: the Wallaby is a cousin of the kangaroo.
In the morning of July 20, 2025, “We reported a free Wallaby“, Communicates Magali Delannoy, police commissioner and operations director in Mouscron, Belgium.
Many photos quickly circulate on social networks, the inhabitants of Mouscron and the surrounding municipalities are looking for the animal. “”We actually detect that there are two, in freedom, in the Herseaux sector“continues the commissioner.
But impossible for Belgian help to get their hands on it. The Wallaby is known to be harmless and fearful. As soon as a human is approaching, the animal fled.
Belgian police admit “the greatest difficulties in the world to catch them“. Difficulties such that, 24 hours later, it is on the French side that one of the two animals is spotted. A video shows it, leaping in the streets of Wattrelos (North) in the middle of the night.
Belgian police have succeeded in identifying the owners of the two Wallabies, but they are currently abroad. “”We contacted our French counterparts to notify them of the situation, we will collaborate if necessary“.
On the other side of the Quiévrain, the detention of such animals is authorized.
A decree dated July 24, 2018 fixes the list of mammals that can be held in Wallonia. At the bend of the classic cats and dogs, we find the Wallaby of Bennett (macropus rufogriseus).
For the moment, the two animals are still on the run between France and Belgium.
