A small marsupial has been roaming Montreal’s South Shore for several days, likely having escaped from illegal captivity, according to animal welfare groups and Quebec’s Environment Ministry. Videos of the animal, which has not been definitively identified as either a small kangaroo or a wallaby, were shared online after being spotted hopping around a field in Boucherville, Quebec. The provincial Environment Ministry believes the marsupial is a red kangaroo but will confirm its species only upon capture.
The presence of this unusual animal in southern Quebec highlights the issue of illegal trafficking of exotic animals in Canada, notes Chamie Angie Cadorette from the animal protection agency Galahad SPCA. The discovery sheds light on the widespread availability of exotic animals for sale in Quebec, including declawed wildcats and monkeys priced at $9,000 and kangaroos at $6,000. Cadorette underscores the lucrative nature of the illegal exotic animal trade.
After a concerned citizen reported seeing the marsupial at a horse stable, Cadorette’s organization notified the provincial anti-poaching agency to investigate. The stable, lacking the required permits for keeping exotic animals, likely served as the escape route for the marsupial. The Environment Ministry confirmed ongoing investigations, revealing that the animal was being illegally held in non-compliant facilities.
Efforts are underway to capture the marsupial and relocate it to a sanctuary to prevent potential harm, as it was spotted near a highway. While the animal does not pose a direct risk to the public, people are advised to maintain a safe distance to ensure its well-being. Despite readiness from animal rescue organizations, they are awaiting government authorization to proceed with the capture and relocation.
The Environment Ministry is evaluating the situation to devise a safe capture plan, emphasizing the legal restrictions on capturing animals requiring licenses. Cadorette urges the government to intensify actions against the exotic animal black market, highlighting the need for stricter enforcement. The Environment Ministry did not provide a comment on exotic animal trafficking in Quebec upon request.
