Kangaroo Named After Kenny Chesney Escapes in Wisconsin—and an Entire Town Brings Him Home

Only in a Wisconsin town would a sheriff’s office issue an all-points bulletin for a marsupial on the run. But when a 16-month-old kangaroo named Chesney jumped the fence at Sunshine Farm in Necedah, Wisconsin, after getting spooked by a pack of stray dogs, what unfolded was the kind of heartwarming community story that reminds you good neighbors are everywhere.

The days-long search involved heat-seeking drones, 37,000 daily steps and an entire town rallying around one very fast—and very frightened—furry fugitive.

How a kangaroo escaped from Sunshine Farm

Chesney’s keeper, Debbie Marland, didn’t waste a single moment after her beloved kangaroo bolted in late March. She gathered a group of friends to search around town, following every lead they could get. The effort was physically grueling, but Marland refused to give up on the animal she loves.

“I was putting on about 37,000 steps per day looking for him,” Marland said per The Associated Press. “I haven’t done so much exercise in a very long time.”

Chesney stayed within a 3-mile radius of the farm, but that didn’t make catching him any easier. As the search stretched on, the Juneau County Sheriff’s Office took to Facebook on March 26 with a post that perfectly captured the spirit of the whole ordeal:

“BOLO: Only in Wisconsin would we wake up to ‘Have you seen this kangaroo?’ Yes, Chesney the kangaroo has pulled a full-on prison break from Sunshine Farm in Necedah. Last seen bouncing through the area of 23rd & 9th like he’s training for the Olympics. His owners are out searching with a drone, which feels like peak 2026 energy — but honestly, whatever helps get this handsome guy home. Most importantly, Chesney is likely scared, so please be careful with him. Please don’t challenge him to a boxing match.”

Heat-seeking drones were deployed in the search for Chesney

Among those who joined the effort was Colton Johnson, owner of Midwest Aerial Drone Services. Johnson has used heat-sensing drones to help locate deer for hunters and reunite missing dogs with their owners, but tracking a kangaroo through the Wisconsin woods was a first even for him. He spent three days searching alongside Marland and a team of volunteers, and the heat signature Chesney gave off on the drone footage was unlike anything he had seen before.

“It almost looked like a dinosaur running through the woods,” Johnson said. “It’s got a long tail, and the way it was moving and hopping, that’s the only way that I can describe it.”

The team got close to Chesney twice, but the frightened kangaroo escaped both times—at one point even jumping into a cold river—causing Johnson to lose sight of him on the drone. Friday was especially difficult, according to Stacy Brereton, a friend of Marland who regularly helps on the farm. No one had seen Chesney all day, and there were growing concerns he had moved farther into unfamiliar areas. That night he was found resting beneath a tree, but despite being surrounded by searchers, he still managed to slip away, able to run at speeds of up to about 20 mph.

One woman’s calm touch helped bring Chesney home

The next morning, Marland returned with Chesney’s favorite treats and items carrying the scent of her and Kenny—Chesney’s marsupial companion back home. More volunteers joined the effort. Just as the group was preparing to give up for the day, Chesney suddenly reappeared, approaching them with his long ears and powerful hind legs. It was Brereton who was able to coax him into coming back.

“He had a very calm attitude when he walked up, obviously you could tell he wasn’t in fight-or-flight mode, so I just went with that,” Brereton said. “I just stayed calm with him and I just kind of went and sat and let him come to me.”

Brereton ultimately picked up the 40-pound animal. She said she believes Chesney recognized comforting voices and familiar scents of home, which helped him feel safe. She added that she’s glad he feels as much affection for her as she does for him.

Chesney became a Wisconsin celebrity after returning home

Back at Sunshine Farm, Kenny was happy to have him back home. Chesney and Kenny are named for country-music superstar Kenny Chesney, and they are two of 25 animals who live at the farm. Although Chesney was hungry and tired, he was otherwise in good health but is scheduled for a veterinary checkup.

Marland noted that the community truly came together. A supporter of Sunshine Farm has even written a children’s book about Chesney’s adventures, which Marland hopes to publish and sell to help cover the costs of the search. For extra safety, Marland said they will install a mesh cover over the kangaroo enclosure to prevent any future escapes. Something tells us one jailbreak was plenty.