Overview
- The kangaroo was seen on May 5, 2025, hopping along Hickory Tree Road in St. Cloud, Florida, before being safely captured by wildlife officials.
- Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) located the kangaroo hiding in a thicket, chemically immobilized it, and transported it to a licensed facility.
- The kangaroo’s owner, Bryan Steven Castro Rendon, has been charged with two misdemeanors for the escape and failure to have an active Class III wildlife permit at the time.
- FWC determined that the owner’s enclosure did not meet state caging requirements, and the kangaroo will remain at a secure facility until upgrades are completed and re-inspected next week.
- This incident highlights ongoing challenges with exotic animal ownership in Florida, where kangaroos are classified as Class II wildlife requiring permits and approved enclosures.