A Northumberland zoo has said that it is "shocked and saddened" after the unexpected death of a wallaby that spent 10 days on the loose in the North East.
The wallaby went viral after being spotted on the loose in Chopwell, Gateshead, and was brought to safety after a 12-hour rescue mission involving Blyth Wildlife Rescue, BeastWatchUK (BWUK) and The Lost Dog Trapping Team. He was then taken to a secure home at Northumberland College Zoo at Kirkley Hall, near Ponteland, where he was given the name Choppy.
The marsupial seemed to be enjoying his life in his new home, but it was announced on Wednesday that Choppy had died on Thursday November 24.
Read more: Chopwell wallaby on the loose brought to safety after 12-hour rescue mission
A Facebook post on the Northumberland College Zoo website read: "We are deeply shocked and saddened to announce that Choppy the wallaby died unexpectedly on Thursday 24 November.
"A veterinary examination identified that he had pneumonia resulting from an underlying and historic condition. This is devastating news, especially for our dedicated keepers and everyone who has been involved in his rescue and care."
Blyth Wildlife Rescue, who helped bring Choppy to Northumberland Zoo, also wrote a tribute on Facebook. It read: "All of us here at Blyth Wildlife Rescue are extremely saddened to hear the news of Choppy’s unexpected passing.
"We would like to express our gratitude to all of the team at Northumberland College Zoo for providing a safe home and caring for him!"
It is thought that Choppy may have escape from a farm in Durham in 2019 and had his own life in the wild. Though native to Oceania and some islands in the Pacific, there are wallabies in captivity in the North East, including an albino wallaby at Whitehouse Farm.
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