Have you seen Rowdy? Family searching for pet kangaroo missing from Texas home

SEALY, Texas — In Sealy, Texas, the search is on for Rowdy, a 2 1/2-year-old kangaroo who managed to escape from his pen early Wednesday morning. Now, the Matush family, along with a dedicated group of volunteers are working tirelessly to track down the hopping fugitive.

Rowdy, stands about 5 feet tall on his haunches and weighs between 65 to 75 pounds, is one of three kangaroos raised by Marsha and Mike Matus. They also raise chickens, donkeys, and even mini donkeys. Rowdy, along with his buddies Rocky and Daphne, are part of the family.

“We bottle-fed them all,” Marsha Matus said. “They lived in our house until they were ready to come outside.”  

On Wednesday morning, the mischievous kangaroo found a way to escape his pen, hopping and skipping away from home. The Matuses quickly notified the local sheriff’s office, the Texas Game Warden, and nearby truck stops in hopes of locating their furry friend.

Help from unlikely sources

As the hunt for Rowdy grew, help came from unexpected places. A local radio DJ spotted the kangaroo at a truck stop and posted about it, sparking a flood of responses. Volunteers, some with drones, began searching the area, offering their assistance.  

“He’s out there right now, flying the drone,” Marsha said.

Texas Game Warden Mike Novak, who has seen his fair share of exotic animals on the loose, is also on the case. He has responded to calls involving everything from zebras to tortoises in the past, but Rowdy is his first marsupial. Novak says usually with help from social media reports and law enforcement, games wardens can connect missing animals to their owners.

Rowdy’s escapades: What to do if you spot him

“If you see him, do not try to catch him,” Novak advises. Instead, notify the Austin County Sheriff’s Office, the Game Warden or the Matuses on Facebook.

Call the Austin County Sheriff’s Office at 979-865-3111 or the Department of Public Safety at 281-517-1220.

Rowdy will respond to his owners, but if someone else tries to catch him, he’ll just run away.

“He can run up to 45 miles per hour,” Marsha said.

While kangaroos are often depicted as aggressive fighters in viral videos of kangaroo boxing, Rowdy and his companions are relatively docile. The Matuses have had their kangaroos neutered to ensure they stay calm and friendly.

Kangaroo laws in Texas: Yes, they’re legal

For those wondering how a kangaroo ends up as a pet in Texas, it is legal.

If seen, Matus asks that you call the Austin County Sheriff’s Office at 979-865-3111 or the Department of Public Safety at 281-517-1220.