Kangaroo locked inside tiny cage at US petting zoo causes outrage

A video of a kangaroo locked inside a tiny cage at a US petting zoo has sparked a wave of outrage across the globe.  

After footage of the distressed animal caged in the Connecticut event centre was uploaded to social media, a Change.org petition was created calling for the kangaroo to be released to a US sanctuary or brought home to Australia to be in its natural environment.

The kangaroo is seen pacing back and forward in the cage and sticking its nose through the wire, with fears the animal may be heavily sedated.

There are also fears for the animal’s welfare as the marsupial is being held in an outside pen with extremely cold temperatures recorded.

“The roo is in a small confined space and really should be with other kangaroos in its natural environment,” the petition read.

“I doubt it would be able to survive in the bush/wild now, so hopefully we can get it to a wildlife park or sanctuary in Australia.”

The petition said the situation had been reported to the United States Department of Agriculture, PETA, and local government representatives, with the roo just “one of the many exotic animals” held captive at the zoo.

Kangaroos are a natural pack animal in the wild, with the mobs most active during the dawn and dusk.  

A #savetherooCT protest will take place outside the facility today.

The latest controversy comes after a kookaburra was found for sale in a US pet store.

The Australian native was alone, confined to a small cage and sometimes dressed in tiny outfits for the amusement of customers.

A GoFundMe page was created to raise enough money to purchase the kookaburra and bring it home to Australia, although the fundraising effort said the animal had already been purchased.