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Kangaroo on the loose in Central Florida caught on camera

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Published  May 6, 2025 12:23am EDT
Osceola County
FOX 35 Orlando
Kangaroo on the loose in Central Florida caught on camera

Kangaroo on the loose in Central Florida caught on camera

A kangaroo was spotted hopping along Hickory Tree Road in St. Cloud, Osceola County, on Monday. The unusual sighting was captured on video by FOX 35 viewer Kaila Mullins, who said the animal lingered on the road for a minute or two before diving under a fence into nearby farmland.

The Brief

    • A kangaroo was spotted hopping along a busy St. Cloud road on Monday, alarming nearby residents.
    • Wildlife officials are investigating but don’t yet know where the animal came from.
    • The marsupial remains loose, and concerns grow for its safety amid heavy traffic.

HARMONY, Fla. - A kangaroo was spotted hopping along a busy St. Cloud road on Monday, alarming nearby residents.

‘Must have stayed there for a solid minute or two’

What we know:

A kangaroo was spotted hopping along Hickory Tree Road in St. Cloud, Osceola County, on Monday. The unusual sighting was captured on video by FOX 35 viewer Kaila Mullins, who said the animal lingered on the road for a minute or two before diving under a fence into nearby farmland. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has confirmed it is aware of the sighting but does not yet know where the kangaroo came from.

What we don't know:

Officials have not determined the kangaroo’s origin or whether it escaped from a permitted owner. FWC has a database of all licensed Class III wildlife owners—kangaroos fall into this category—but no confirmed connection has been made yet. Authorities have not said if the animal has since been located or captured.

The backstory:

Encounters like this are rare but not unheard of in Florida. In 2023, a kangaroo was found on the loose in Volusia County. The owner in that case was fined $1,000 for not having the proper permits. By law, a Class III wildlife permit is required to own a kangaroo in the state.

Big picture view:

While the sight of a kangaroo roaming free in Florida may seem comical or cinematic, it raises concerns for both public safety and animal welfare. Hickory Tree Road is a heavily trafficked area, making it a dangerous environment for the marsupial. Nearby residents say they're worried for the animal and hope it can be safely recovered.

What they're saying:

The animal was seen Monday on Hickory Tree Road near Harmony, according to a video submitted to FOX 35 by local resident Kaila Mullins. 

"It must have stayed there for a solid minute or two, just hopping in front of me, not wanting to go anywhere before it went off and dove under the fence to get into the farmland," Mullins said.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission confirmed it is aware of the kangaroo sighting but has not yet determined where the animal came from. 

Brenda and Lenny Stack, who live nearby, expressed concern about the animal’s safety. "Especially on this road, there’s a lot of traffic around," said Brenda Stack. "I hope someone catches him as soon as possible." Her husband added, "It’s so sad… because it’s probably, you know, lost."

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The Source: This story was written based on information shared by Kaila Mullins and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

 

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