ARLINGTON — The owner of a lost wallaby is asking people to keep an eye out for her family’s short, sweet and skittish friend.
Bella, a 6-year-old Bennett’s wallaby, has been missing since Friday afternoon. She was last seen around noon crossing Highway 530 near the Outback Kangaroo Farm, 10030 Highway 530. She is about 2½ feet tall and weighs 35 pounds, with golden brown fur and a white belly.
Owner Gayle Van Alstyne of Maple Valley was taking Bella and two other wallabies she keeps as pets to the kangaroo farm for temporary housing. She’s cared for Bella most of the wallaby’s life, nursing her back to health during a lengthy illness and providing a home for Bella and the other two wallabies. They made it safely to the farm, she said.
While moving Bella’s cage out of the truck, the animal got startled and jumped hard enough to burst through the top of the kennel, Van Alstyne said. Wallabies can move quickly, and Bella did.
“She was seen by a neighbor crossing the highway and a car swerved to miss her,” she said.
Friends and neighbors helped track her to the Stillaguamish River, where feet and tail impressions along the bank suggested she was heading toward downtown Arlington.
“We don’t know, after that, what happened,” Van Alstyne said. “We searched and searched and searched. I’ve called every wildlife sanctuary or rescue I can think of.”
Bella is part of a licensed petting zoo Van Alstyne has been running in Maple Valley.
“It’s named after her — Bella’s Barn — because she fought so hard to live (when she was sick),” Van Alstyne said. “I’m not willing to give up hope yet, but if it starts to freeze, it’s going to be really dodgy for her.”
Wallabies in captivity should have heat lamps once the temperature drops below about 40 degrees Fahrenheit, she said. Temperatures in the low 30s are dangerous.
If someone sees Bella, they shouldn’t try to chase her or pick her up, Van Alstyne said.
“If people approach her, she’s going to run,” she said. “But if they get down small and talk softly to her, she might not.”
An offering of an apple branch or whole wheat bread also could help befriend Bella.
Anyone with information about the missing wallaby is asked to call Van Alstyne at 206-743-7082 or Ray Strom at 425-210-2706.
“She’s out there and terrified,” Van Alstyne said. “We’re just trying to reach as many people as we can who can help.”
Kari Bray: 425-339-3439; kbray@heraldnet.com.
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