4 wallabies recaptured after walkabout at Des Moines zoo

July 10, 2013 at 1:21PM

DES MOINES, Iowa — Four red-necked wallabies made a break for freedom after a gate was left open on the Australia exhibit at a Des Moines zoo.

Officials at Blank Park Zoo say the male wallabies, also known as boomers, didn't get very far during their Sunday night walkabout. Three of the kangaroo-like mammals were captured within hours and the fourth was picked up Monday morning.

Several workers were needed to surround and catch the marsupials whose strong hind legs can catapult them great distances at high speeds. They never left the grounds of the zoo.

A zoo spokesman says none of the wallabies were hurt during their adventure.

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