Kangaroo wanders the Emerald Isle

DUBLIN - A kangaroo is roaming the green hills of Ireland after escaping a circus near the picturesque port of Kinsale.

"This kangaroo broke loose just before the show while they were bringing him from the cages to the arena. He decided to take a walk," said local farmer John Walsh on whose land the 2-year-old male, named Sydney, made his break for freedom.

Circus staff launched a fruitless four-hour search following the escape Sunday.

There had since been one unconfirmed sighting of the animal, renamed "Hoppy" by locals and described as two and a half to three feet tall and dark in color.

"He would be happy out there and he'll have plenty of grass, plenty of water and plenty of sunshine," Walsh said, as Ireland basked in near record temperatures more typical of Sydney's native Australia than Ireland's temperate maritime climate.

- REUTERS