Escaped kangaroo rounded up by police in Florida

A daring escape attempt by a kangaroo came to an end when police in South Florida captured the rogue Aussie on Thursday morning.

The wanderer from Down Under was taken into custody after leading police on a low-speed hop chase through the streets of Fort Lauderdale.

Officers were quickly on the scene near the 1300 block of Northeast 2nd Avenue after receiving calls from the public about 9 am.

Videos from nearby helicopters showed several units surrounding the fury fugitive before taking him into custody by midday.

While kangaroos are known to be adept at boxing, this one didn't seem to resist arrest. Officer Robert Norvis said he was "very friendly" as they put a rope around his neck and got him into the back of a squad car.

"I've been a police officer for 26 years. I've had snake calls and python calls, maybe an alligator, but never heard of a kangaroo around here," Mr Norvis told Local 10 News.

Exotic animals such as the kangaroo, native to Australia, are not legal in Fort Lauderdale. Local news reported, however, that the missing marsupial belonged to a local resident who kept the domesticated roo as a pet.

Police said the Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission investigate and take him elsewhere. It is unknown if the undocumented immigrant will be deported,

Fort Lauderdale doesn't allow exotic animals, but Florida law may allow for a Class III exotic animal like a kangaroo to be kept with the proper permitting.

Police Sergeant Sienna Greenlaw said the unnamed escapee would remain behind bars, in their horse stables, until the commission's investigation is complete.