A kangaroo that escaped from a petting zoo at the Saline County Fairgrounds Oct. 3 was captured the following day and returned to its owners, according to the Marshall Police Department.

Police said the animal escaped after a child exited its enclosure and inadvertently left the gate unsecured during an event at the fairgrounds. A search followed.

On Oct. 4, a resident spotted the kangaroo and contacted authorities. The resident kept the animal in sight until Marshall police officers and the city’s animal control officer arrived.

Another resident with experience raising and handling exotic animals arrived while officers were at the scene and offered to help. That resident assisted police and animal control in safely capturing the kangaroo.

The animal was captured without incident and returned to its owners, who live in Warrensburg, police said.

The department thanked both residents for their assistance in locating and capturing the animal.