The hunt is on for Rowdy, a 3-year-old kangaroo, who was last spotted hopping down Pyka Road near I-10 in Austin County early Wednesday morning.
Rowdy escaped from his pen by pushing the gate open, according to his owner, Marsha Matus. “I’m very scared for him because I know he’s scared,” she said.
The sighting occurred around 4:15 a.m. during heavy fog, as Sunny 99.1 morning DJ Dana Tyson was driving to work. “Never in my wildest dreams did I think a kangaroo would jump in front of my car,” Tyson said, explaining how she caught the moment on camera. Later, she learned that Rowdy belonged to Matus.
“He is our baby,” Matus said. “He’s not your stereotypical kangaroo. He’s our pet.”
After escaping the pen, Rowdy managed to jump the perimeter fence and disappear. Another kangaroo, Daphne, only ventured as far as the yard, while Rocky, the youngest, remained safely inside the house. Matus, a self-proclaimed “Roo Mom,” has kangaroo-themed yard art, signs, and even a personalized license plate.
“They’re unique,” Matus said, voicing her fears. “I’m worried to death.”
Since kangaroos are nocturnal, Matus suspects Rowdy is hiding in a nearby field during the day.
On Thursday night, Andy Cevallos, a stranger from Bellville, joined the search with a thermal imaging drone. Matus and her husband also deployed their own drone, while friends and neighbors scoured the area.
Matus emphasized that Rowdy is not aggressive because he is neutered, but he’s shy and unlikely to approach strangers. “Kangaroos scare easily,” she explained.
She urged anyone who sees Rowdy to contact the Austin County Sheriff’s Office or the Department of Public Safety. She has also informed the local game warden.
Despite no additional sightings since Tyson’s encounter, Matus remains hopeful. “I’m just praying for a Christmas miracle,” she said, longing for Rowdy’s safe return.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Austin County Sheriff’s Office at 979-865-3111.
