Kangaroo in diaper reported roaming Florida town. Then came the jokes on social media

A “lost” kangaroo in a diaper was reported hopping past a Florida elementary school in the middle of a school day, and the jokes just keep coming on social media.

It happened Wednesday, Nov. 13, in Spring Hill, where the kangaroo was reported “east bound” outside J.D. Floyd Elementary School, the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release. Spring Hill is about a 50-mile drive north from Tampa.

“The kangaroo is four months old and was last seen wearing a blue harness and a diaper,” the sheriff’s office wrote. “Please call the HCSO if it hops into your yard.”

Deputies caught the “pet” about 45 minutes later — after a brief foot chase — and returned it to the owner, who was not identified. He was not injured during his “little adventure,” which spanned several blocks.

That would seem to be the end of the story, but the Facebook post has taken on a life of its own. As of Nov. 14, it had racked up nearly 3,000 reactions and comments (and 1,000 shares), including requests for video of the foot pursuit and offers to adopt the kangaroo.

“A what?! I swear living in Florida is like being in a Jumanji movie,” Melanie Maldonado wrote on the department’s Facebook page.

“I’m glad they specified the blue harness and diaper to differentiate from all the other kangaroos you see every day,” Tim Dykes wrote.

“Did y’all search its pouch for drugs and weapons?” James Rodriguez asked.

“You know you live in FL when a kangaroo is loose at a school,” Amanda Leon said.

This story was originally published November 14, 2024 at 12:02 PM with the headline "Kangaroo in diaper reported roaming Florida town. Then came the jokes on social media."