On May 19, 2025, police officers in Durango, Colorado, responded to a report about a kangaroo that had escaped. The kangaroo, named Irwin, had also escaped in the fall of the previous year but was caught when it jumped into a bag. However, Irwin had grown larger and more energetic, so the same method did not work. A caller told the police that the animal could be hit by a car while moving in the streets.

Police Commander Nick Stasi said the earlier method could not be used because Irwin was now too big. Officer Shane Garrison, who has experience working with animals, found the kangaroo in a backyard. He trapped it near a house and placed it into the patrol car for safe transport. Irwin was returned to its owners in Durango, a city in southwestern Colorado with about 20,000 people. The area is known for train rides and outdoor tourism. It is legal to own exotic animals such as kangaroos in Colorado, but police say owners must be careful. Experts warn that kangaroos can become large and strong. By five years old, they can reach 90 kilograms and grow taller than an adult man. They can also move fast and kick hard. Police remind pet owners to keep exotic animals secure to avoid future incidents and protect the community.