In recent days, a small marsupial has been spotted roaming Montreal’s South Shore, likely having escaped from illegal captivity, according to animal rights advocates and Quebec’s Environment Ministry. Videos circulating online show the animal, still unidentified as either a kangaroo or wallaby, hopping around a field in Boucherville, Quebec.
The provincial Environment Ministry suspects the marsupial is a red kangaroo but awaits capture for a definitive species identification. While the presence of the kangaroo or wallaby in southern Quebec may seem fascinating, it sheds light on the issue of illegal trafficking of exotic animals in Canada, as highlighted by Chamie Angie Cadorette from animal protection agency Galahad SPCA.
Cadorette revealed that a quick online search yields numerous listings of exotic animals for sale in Quebec, including declawed wildcats, monkeys, kangaroos, turtles, and snakes, emphasizing the lucrative nature of the illegal exotic animal trade. The organization received a report from a concerned citizen who observed the marsupial in an inadequate setting at a horse stable in the area.
Quebec mandates special permits for keeping wild and exotic animals in captivity, such as kangaroos and wallabies. Following the citizen’s report, Cadorette contacted the provincial anti-poaching agency, discovering that the stable lacked the necessary permits for the exotic animal, which likely escaped from the facility.
Regarding public safety, the Environment Ministry spokesperson, Daniel Labonté, emphasized that while the marsupial poses no threat, people should maintain a distance to ensure its safety. Galahad SPCA and an animal rescue organization stand prepared to capture the animal and transfer it to a nearby sanctuary pending government authorization.
Labonté stated that the Environment Ministry is evaluating strategies for safely capturing the marsupial, in compliance with Quebec regulations prohibiting unauthorized capture of licensed animals. Cadorette urged the government to intensify efforts against the illegal exotic animal market, suspecting that these animals were brought into Quebec without proper licenses.
Although the Environment Ministry did not comment on exotic animal trafficking in Quebec upon request, the investigation into the marsupial’s illegal captivity continues.