Community Rallies to Find Rex, the Runaway Wallaby
In a surprising turn of events that has captivated a New Jersey community, a 3-year-old wallaby named Rex has become the subject of an extensive search after hopping away from his home at Lots of Love Farm in Williamstown, Gloucester County. The marsupial’s adventure began Monday night when he escaped through a gate that was reportedly left unlatched overnight. By Tuesday morning, the wayward wallaby had traveled nearly five miles from the sanctuary, with witnesses spotting him in a local Walmart parking lot. The search has escalated to include drone technology as community members and professionals work together to bring the beloved animal safely home.
Sue Layden, who runs the animal sanctuary with her husband, described Rex as a sociable creature who “loves people” and has a particular fondness for romaine lettuce. Having cared for Rex for several years, Layden understands his capabilities and temperament well. She explained that while Rex is typically comfortable around humans at the farm, he possesses impressive physical abilities that make the search challenging. As what Layden calls a “miniature kangaroo,” Rex can leap nearly 10 feet in a single bound and reach speeds of up to 35 miles per hour when startled. These natural adaptations serve wallabies well in their native Australian habitats, where they rely on speed and agility rather than confrontation to escape predators. The combination of these instincts with Rex’s unfamiliar surroundings has created a complex situation for those attempting to recover him.
Despite the challenges, Layden remains optimistic about Rex’s eventual return, believing he hasn’t strayed far from the area. “He got out [and went] right through the woods. I don’t think he really wants to leave home,” she told Fox News Digital. Her confidence stems from Rex’s social nature and familiarity with the farm. “People who visit [the farm] pet him and love on him, so he likes it here,” Layden explained. This socialization offers hope that Rex might naturally gravitate back toward his familiar surroundings at the sanctuary. The farm has prepared for this possibility by leaving his pen open, creating a welcoming space should he find his way home. However, Layden cautions that despite Rex’s adorable appearance—which she likens to “a stuffed animal with a marsupial personality”—he still retains wild instincts that could be triggered if he feels cornered or threatened.
The search effort has expanded to include specialized resources, with a drone pet locating company joining the mission to find the missing marsupial. Authorities and farm owners are coordinating their efforts based on community tips, creating a collaborative approach to locating Rex. A critical component of the search strategy involves educating the public about proper behavior should anyone encounter the wallaby. Layden has emphasized that community members should not attempt to chase Rex, as this would likely trigger his flight response and potentially drive him further from home. Wallabies, though generally peaceful, can become defensive when feeling trapped. “In the wild, if you corner them, they attack,” Layden cautioned, describing their defensive mechanism as a “slap-down kind of thing.”
The unusual nature of this escape has captured public attention in ways that typical missing pet cases might not. Wallabies, as small to medium-sized marsupials similar to kangaroos, are not commonly kept as pets in the United States, making Rex’s adventure particularly noteworthy. Native to Australia and nearby islands, these marsupials have specific care requirements and behaviors that differ significantly from domestic animals. Rex’s story highlights both the special bond that can form between humans and exotic animals and the challenges inherent in keeping such creatures properly contained. The community’s investment in finding him safely reflects a broader concern for animal welfare, regardless of species or origin.
As the search continues, the story of Rex the wallaby serves as a reminder of the unexpected ways communities can come together. From professional drone operators to concerned citizens submitting tips, the effort to bring Rex home has mobilized diverse resources and sparked widespread interest. Layden’s approach combines practical search methods with patience and understanding of Rex’s nature, acknowledging that while technology might help locate him, respect for his natural behaviors will be key to a successful recovery. “We have had a couple of pretty good tips, so we are checking all of that out,” she noted, maintaining hope that the combination of community vigilance and Rex’s own attachment to his home at Lots of Love Farm will ultimately lead to a happy reunion. For now, the gate to his pen remains open, awaiting the return of the wallaby who hopped his way into an unexpected adventure and the hearts of a concerned community.
