Imagine strolling through the outdoor furniture section of your local Bunnings store, and suddenly, you’re face to face with a kangaroo.
Yes, you read that right! A kangaroo was spotted roaming freely at a Bunnings store in Albany, Western Australia, leaving customers in awe and concern.
A Bizarre but Familiar Sight
The unusual scene was captured on camera by a woman who was shopping at the store. She shared the video online, where it received a mixed response from Aussies. While some people couldn’t help but chuckle at the unexpected store visit, others pointed out the sad reality behind the kangaroo’s presence.
“So sad, poor baby, where’s his habitat gone?” one person commented. “Poor guy,” another wrote. “Aww, it must be frightened,” another pointed out.
@livingwithkangaroos Kangaroo Joey visits Bunnings Warehouse. 🦘 #bunnings #kangaroo #joey #australia #foryou #tiktok #trendiing ♬ Rhyme Dust (Extended) – MK & Dom Dolla
Not the First Time, Sadly
This isn’t the first time a native animal has wandered into a Bunnings store. Earlier this year, a barn owl was stuck inside a Bunnings store for nine whole days. Unfortunately, despite being freed, the owl died from starvation. In May, a video shared on TikTok showed another kangaroo hopping through a Queensland Bunnings store.
The Sad Reality of Habitat Loss
It’s not uncommon for Australia’s wildlife to be spotted in unlikely places. But why is this happening? The answer lies in habitat loss. As developers build more housing to accommodate the growing human population, native species are being squeezed out of their natural habitats. This is leading to animals ending up in seemingly random places, with nowhere to go.
Recent Encounters with Wildlife
Just yesterday, part of the car park at Melbourne Airport was restricted after a kangaroo was found roaming the space. Last month, diners at a KFC store in Busselton, WA were shocked to see a kangaroo hopping throughout the store, looking for an escape. In the same month, a koala walked into an IGA in the tiny Victorian town of Meeniyan. Last year, a kangaroo was photographed hopping through the streets of Campbelltown, southwest of Sydney.
What You Can Do to Help
If you spot a sick or injured native animal in your state, there are volunteer wildlife services available to help 24/7. In Western Australia, you can call the Wildcare Helpline on 08 9474 9055. By supporting these services, we can make a difference in the lives of these amazing animals.
Bunnings’ Response
Bunnings confirmed the recent incident to Yahoo News. “Our Albany store had an unexpected visitor early Monday morning when a kangaroo hopped in via our drive-through area,” said Danielle Walker, Bunnings Regional Manager. “We thank our team for their assistance in quickly ushering the kangaroo out safely and helping to keep customers shopping with us at a distance.”
