After a week of intensive searching, ROOfus the pet kangaroo is back home with the McClard family in Bloomfield. The four-year-old animal escaped his enclosure on July 24 after being startled by the sound of heavy machinery. His owners confirmed the successful reunion early Friday morning.
The search spanned a large area near the community of Aquilla and the Nestle Purina mine site. Residents, ground crews, and drone operators from Black River Drone Works spent seven days tracking sightings to locate the animal. ROOfus was finally found on Friday morning by a neighbor, Butch O'Daniell, who contacted the family and stayed with the kangaroo until they arrived.
Dawn and Chuck McClard expressed their relief after the ordeal. The animal has lived with the family since he was three months old and had not attempted to leave his enclosure prior to this incident. Dawn noted that he has a sensitivity to loud noises like lawn mowers and heavy equipment, which explains his reaction when the excavator started nearby.
Following the rescue, the McClards shared photos of ROOfus drinking from a bottle and adjusting back to his home environment. The family thanked the local community for their reports and support during the search effort. They emphasized that the vigilance of their neighbors played a critical role in bringing the pet home safely.