Wallaby hops through Romsey streets after farm escape

8 August 2026

An escaped wallaby has been moving through parts of Romsey after leaving Emer Farm on Green Lane. Residents reported sightings in Church Street and later near Broadlands Estate, close to the Methodist Church.

Emer Farm, run by Edward Godwin, is a poultry and rare-breed holding that keeps more than sixty species of birds and animals. The farm has previously offered pairs of wallabies for sale. Under English law such animals may be kept and sold provided welfare standards and the relevant licensing rules for commercial animal activities are met.

Hampshire Police received two early calls about the animal in the Romsey area, one from a motorist. Officers made clear that the matter falls outside normal policing and is more likely to involve the RSPCA. Farm staff have been searching for the wallaby.

Wallabies are small to medium marsupials native to Australia and New Guinea. They carry their young in a pouch and move with a distinctive hop powered by strong hind legs. In Britain they appear from time to time on private collections and occasional farm holdings that specialise in unusual livestock.

Local sightings of this kind tend to generate rapid social media reports as people share locations and photographs. In this case the sequence of reports has helped chart a rough path from the farm towards the eastern edge of the town and the grounds of Broadlands.

Owners of exotic or unusual animals are responsible for secure enclosures. When an animal does leave its usual surroundings the priority is a calm recovery that avoids stress to the creature and risk to the public. Most wallabies kept in Britain are used to human presence and are not aggressive, yet they remain powerful and fast-moving.

The episode underlines how mixed rare-breed farms can introduce unexpected wildlife into everyday street scenes. For the moment the focus remains on locating the animal and returning it safely to Emer Farm. Residents who see it are asked to note the location and contact the owners or the RSPCA rather than attempt to approach or corner it themselves.

Update [14-08-26] : The wallaby has since been found dead beside the A3057 near the Bear and Ragged Staff pub in Timsbury. It was removed from the roadside shortly afterwards. The farm has not confirmed whether the animal originated from its site. Read more - Hampshire Chronicle