Cryptid North American Errant Kangaroos Sighted!
Phantom ‘Roos are Hidden Animals that Exist in Non-native Habitats
One of cryptozoology’s categories involves animals found outside their natural habitats that can’t be explained by scientists.
The most well-known of this group are Alien Big Cats, ABCs, or Phantom Panthers sighted in the Americas, Australia and Europe. No phantom kangaroo or ABC has been captured or killed.
North American Errant Kangaroo Sightings
These cryptids, also known as phantom kangaroos, haven’t been captured or killed. Sightings include:
- 1899: Wisconsin woman saw a ‘roo in her neighbor’s yard.
- 1900: Family near May’s Landing, NJ heard a phantom kangaroo scream, sighted it and saw its tracks. The place is notable because it is the major stomping ground of the Jersey Devil, a cryptid with a ‘roo’s body.
- 1949: Phantom kangaroo sighted in Ohio.
- 1957 – 1967: Errant kangaroos sighted in Minnesota, sometimes, in pairs
- 1958: ‘Roos seen in Nebraska.
- 1970s and 1980s: People in North Carolina, Utah, California, Oklahoma, Wisconsin and Ontario sighted ‘roos.
- 1974: Two police officers responded to a call from a man claiming there was a kangaroo on his porch. They chased the animal. The ‘roo kicked at them with its hind legs. The officers backed off. The animal hopped a fence, bounded into the street and suddenly vanished. There were many reported sightings of the cryptid in the area during the next several days. Soon, it was seen in Indiana.
- 1975: Woman near Dalton City saw a kangaroo, watched it hop into a cornfield and vanish
- 1978: Two Wisconsin men photographed a large ‘roo. Respected cryptozoologist Loren Coleman examined the pictures and said the animal resembled Bennett’s Wallaby, a Tasmanian native.
- 1980: Kangaroos sighted in California.
- 1981: North Carolina ‘roo was pursued by police and reporters and eluded them.
Errant Kangaroo Hoax
A story about a Tennessee Killer Kangaroo, written by South Pittsburg correspondent Horace A. Minnis, appeared in the Chattanooga Times.
In January 1934, a phantom kangaroo was reported to have killed several animals. Frank Cobb alleged it dismembered an Alsatian. Reverend W. J. Hancock, described the animal as a giant kangaroo that hopped and leaped across a field.
A search party followed the paw prints to a cave, where the trail ended. The ‘roo was never found. Minnis was not one of the newspaper’s correspondents in 1934.
Errant Kangaroo Theories
Some theorize phantom kangaroos are escapees from zoos, circuses or private owners’ menageries. There have been only two reports of missing ‘roos, both in 1968. Pet owners aren’t likely to report an escapee because it’s illegal to own an exotic or to own one without a permit. There have been too many sightings to validate this theory.
There are researchers who hypothesize it’s a case of mistaken identity of an existing animal, such as a feral dog or a white-tail deer. It’s highly improbable that all witnesses made this error.
Others believe they’re from another dimension, aliens or ET’s pets that were left behind. Other dimensions and aliens are theoretical.
Another theory is that phantom kangaroos exist and are native to North America. During the Mesozoic Era marsupials were very common there. The only known remaining marsupial is the opossum.
Marsupials are also native to South and Central America which have ninety species. Scientists believe that, approximately 100 million years ago, South America and Australia were connected and marsupials could travel from one continent to the other. This doesn’t explain European sightings.
Some believe the ‘roos are descendants of animals who escaped or were set free and adapted to their new environment. This is the most likely theory, but it’s possible that errant kangaroos are a cryptid whose existence hasn’t been scientifically proved.
Articles on Cryptids and UMAs
People who are intrigued by this article might like: Beast of Exmoor Mystery Cat is about a mystery beast who could have been mistake for a known animal.
What are Cryptozoology and Cryptids? is a synopsis of the speculative science and Mysterious Unknown Animals (UMAs).
The Jersey Devil discusses the legend of the mysterious entity and newspapers’ accounts of sightings.
Source:
Unexplained! Jerome Clark, (Visible Ink Press, 1993).
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