Zoos have been a controversial subject for lovers of animals for many years. Some feel as though they are used purely to entertain visitors, while others feel that they are primarily in existence for conservation, research and education. Special Memories Zoo in Greenville, Wisconsin is one zoo that truly cares for the health and well-being of its animals, which is why finding the four goats and baby kangaroo stolen from the zoo has become the mission of its owners.
Police are investigating the theft of four goats and a 5- month-old baby kangaroo stolen recently from the Special Memories Zoo. The zoo’s owners are concerned about the health of the kangaroo because it is so young and needs its mother to survive. Kangaroo babies use the teats inside of its mother’s pouch to feed, so without the milk, it may die.
The baby kangaroo was reportedly taken right out of its mother’s pouch, which left her injured. Joeys spend about 6 to 7 months in their mother’s pouch before they fully emerge, sticking more than their head out of the pouch. It isn’t until after they are close to 8 or 9 months that it leaves its mother’s pouch for good. With this particular animal having certain needs due to its young age, whoever took the joey is most likely not equipped to care for it. It is a similar situation with most animals taken from zoos. These animals are not like cats and dogs who need a basic type of animal care. They need a certain type of care or food and if they are not receiving it, they may die.
This is not the first incident of animals being stolen from a zoo. In the past, there have been alligators, penguins and other exotic animals have been taken from zoos all over the world. In some cases, the animals were taken by people who didn’t support what zoos were doing and believe that animals should exist in their natural habitat. Whatever the case may be in the theft of these animals, the owners of the zoo are hoping the animals will soon be found or returned safely to Special Memories Zoo.
