update: escaped kangaroo safely captured after days on the loose in boucherville

the escaped kangaroo who had been roaming the boucherville area since friday has been safely captured.quebec's ministry in charge of wildlife confirmed tuesday evening that the animal had been captured following what it described as a "delicate operation" and was being assessed by professionals.in an update late tuesday night, the ministry said the kangaroo had recovered from sedation, was in good health and had safely arrived at granby zoo.the kangaroo had been on the loose since reportedly escaping a stable at an equestrian centre where it was allegedly being kept illegally.earlier tuesday, before the animal was captured, the ministry said teams including veterinarians specializing in zoological medicine, animal health technicians and wildlife protection officers were planning a capture operation aimed at maximizing the chances of success while ensuring the kangaroo's survival.the ministry described the capture of a kangaroo as a "complex and delicate" operation requiring specialized equipment and the safe use of anesthetics. kangaroos are particularly susceptible to complications following anesthesia, officials said."intervening quickly does not mean intervening effectively," the ministry said, adding that a rushed intervention could compromise the capture, cause stress and unpredictable reactions, or put the animal's life at risk.the ministry also stressed that members of the public are prohibited from capturing wild or exotic animals requiring permits and said the safe recovery of such animals requires specialized knowledge, qualified personnel and planning for the animal's care after capture.officials added that quebec's regulations governing the keeping of exotic animals require permits and secure facilities, noting that "the current situation stems from non-compliance with these obligations."chamie angie cadorette, director of the galahad spca for large animals, had offered to relocate the kangaroo to a wildlife sanctuary to guarantee its safety on saturday, but was told by the ministry that she needed a special permit to move the animal.reached earlier tuesday, cadorette said the last she heard, the kangaroo had moved into a wooded area much farther from where she first saw it. it had been staying on the property of a woman who lives near the equestrian centre."she has a garden and a pond, and he seemed comfortable there. but she said she hasn't seen him since yesterday," said cadorette, who expressed frustration over the pace of the ministry's response."we could have all worked together, collaborated, and done everything with a veterinarian. we had all the equipment; (the sanctuary) was ready."cadorette said the ministry had been alerted to the animal while it was being kept in the stable, but that the situation was not considered an emergency."if they had shown up then, or even the next day, we wouldn't be where we are today," she said, pointing out it's possible the owner set the kangaroo free after becoming aware it had been reported to the ministry.cadorette was advised by wildlife officials that the spca could be fined if it tried to move the kangaroo, as could miller zoo, the wildlife sanctuary and animal rehabilitation centre in the chaudière-appalaches region that had offered to take it in.the montreal spca said the incident raises broader questions about quebec's regulations governing exotic animals.in a statement tuesday evening, the organization argued current rules do not adequately protect wild animals kept in captivity and allow underqualified individuals to keep species with complex physical, social and behavioural needs."this case once again highlights what the montreal spca has been saying for years," the organization said. "the current system falls far short of what's needed to properly protect these animals."