Escaped wallaby, Our Betty, has finally hopped home.
The wandering wallaby caused alarm when he escaped his Slaithwaite home last month.
He was on the run for seven days and went as far as Marsden during his time on the loose.
Several villagers were startled as he bolted past them, including one dog walker whose pet gave chase down the canal towpath.
Our Betty, who is actually a male, lives with three other wallabies at Hey Leys Farm at Cop Hill.
Owner Michael Heavens said he had got out after his young grandchild unlocked his pen.
Michael said the whole family were relieved he had come home.
“He’s got out four times before but he’s never gone any distance,” he said.
“He’s usually just out in a neighbouring field for an hour.
“We were getting reports he was here, there and everywhere.
“We looked for him for several days but he finally came back under his own steam.
“It’s a big relief, he’s got a bit of a sore foot but otherwise he’s fine.
“He’s very friendly but we didn’t want people chasing him as they wouldn’t be able to catch him.
“He’s very powerful and very quick.
“We spotted him in a neighbour’s field and we offered him some food to get him back in his pen.
“I think he’d been missing his partner Kylie too.”
Michael and his wife became owners of the Australian animals after seeing a baby one at a gardening centre in Holmfirth.
Three years on they have added female Kylie, along with Billy and baby Riley, and plan to breed more.
Michael added: “There’s a padlock on the pen now so they’re going nowhere.”
