There's a video at the site.
Posted on 01/24/2022 11:43:25 PM PST by nickcarraway
The marsupial, normally native to Australia, has been spotted in the region several times in recent months
A rare white wallaby has been caught on camera in Warwickshire for a second time.
The unusual sight was captured by refuse collectors on their rounds near Kenilworth earlier in the month.
The spot where the marsupial was seen was close to the same site a farmer caught it on camera last year.
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In October, Jack Smith saw the wallaby while he was planting barley in a field near the same Warwickshire town.
There have also been reports of a creature matching the same description a few miles away in Lapworth.
Sightings have become so common locals have started affectionately referring to the wallaby as Colin.
The latest footage was captured by drivers working for local company Suez Refuse. The collection crew, consisting of Callum Doyle and Ethan Saunders, caught the rare footage and shared it with colleague Terry, who passed it on to CoventryLive.
Terry said: "It was around Kites Nest Lane towards Kenilworth way. It wasn't me that saw the wallaby it was Suez Refuse collection crew, Callum Doyle and Ethan Sanders that I work alongside.
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"They were shocked, surprised and said it felt a bit surreal. They collect refuse all around Warwick countryside and encounter a lot of different animals like horse, sheep, cows - even a couple of pet ostriches.
"But never in their wildest dreams did they expect to see a wallaby roaming around the countryside like it was at home."
Wallabies, though not native to the UK, have been spotted in the wild several times. The most likely theory is the ones spotted are escaped pets or zoo runaways.
However, there are one or two recognised colonies.
Wallaby colonies in the UK
A pair of breeding wallabies were believed to have escaped from a private zoo in the Peak District in the 1930s. This pair bred and there are still sightings to this day.
There is also a colony on the Isle of Man after a pair escaped a wildlife park on the island back in the 1970s.
There is as another one on an island in Loch Lomond, Scotland. This colony was introduced by aristocrat Fiona Bryde Colquhoun, also known as Lady Arran, who had a love of unusual animals, back in the 1940s.
However, what sets the Warwickshire sightings apart is two things. Firstly, there is no known (or suspected) colony of wallabies in the region.
Secondly, the aforementioned wallabies are mainly red-necked wallabies, where as this one is pure white.
According to the website of Bruny Island, off Tasmania, white wallabies are rare.
What the experts say
The wildlife section of the website states: "White wallabies are Bennett's wallabies (Macropus rufogriseus) with a rare genetic mutation that gives them their white fur.
"Bruny Island has a population of white wallabies, some which are albino with white coats and pink eyes, ears and nose, while others possess only the white coat."
The website adds that breeding season is January to July, so it could well be the wallabies spotted in Warwickshire are on the move to find a mate.
However, wallabies generally like to be alone, according to Karl Curtis, Director of Reserves and Community Engagement at Warwickshire Wildlife Trust.
A RARE WHITE WALLABY HAS BEEN SPOTTED ON THE HOP THROUGH WARWICKSHIRE FARMLAND
Discussing the recent sightings, Karl said: "It is an unusual one as the majority of wallabies found in the UK are Red-necked wallaby from Tasmania and are brown and black in colour – but this appears to have a genetic mutation which makes it white and quite rare.
"Wallabies were first found wild in the UK in around 1900 where they had escaped from zoos and private collections and since have been spotted around the country.
"They are not native to the UK but can live for around 18 years and will feed on vegetation they come across – browsing as they move, a bit like deer.
"They also tend to be most active at dusk and through the night and lie low during the day hidden away in vegetation.
"Their biggest threat is of course road traffic, particularly with no natural predators here. They can also reproduce if they find a mate, however they spend most of their time on their own and live a solitary life."
Have you seen Colin the Warwickshire Wallaby? We'd love to hear about it if you have. Send your pics and videos to danny.thompson@reachplc.com
There's a video at the site.
Nonsense. It’s a guy in a Bigfoot suit.
BWM, Black Wallaby’s Matter ain’t gonna like this.
It’s a nice day for a white wallaby
It could be a Loch Ness Monster in a wallaby suit?
Obviously the Easter Wallaby.
A møøse once bit my sister.
The classics never get old.
“All to gather now! Tie me wallaby down sport, tie me wallaby down.”
The guy that sang that is no longer acceptable.
Actually neither am I in some circles. The price of old age, wisdom, and treachery I suppose. 🤔
I doubt you did what Rolf Harris did?
I’m shocked, shocked I tell ya.
Racist wallaby.
Probably spray painted white by the Australian fascists to do a “Look SQUIRREL” thing and side track citizens from their planning tar and featherings.
lol
Wallaby Supremacist.
You are correct. The reason I attribute my ostracized issues to is more on the line of my last colonoscopy. Nary a problem anywhere. My wife of 50 years says it’s because I’m a perfect arsehole. She’s right. I’ve spent 70 years honing my skills. Where I draw the line with wallaby’s is tieing them down. Albino animals are rare though. I’ve seen a white pronghorn antelope here in central Idaho. A small doe, a big buck would be a trophy. As for pedo’s. They should to be handled as wolves are here. Shoot, shovel, shut up. Be sure to wash your hands, then hit the local tavern for a frosted mug and a fresh rack of 3 ball. Shake the dice for the juke box and savor a good steak after a hard days work. IMO
Add another 7 feet to the blurry figure and you have the ‘white bigfoot’... Just saying.
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