Injured Halawa wallaby treated at Honolulu Zoo

An injured wallaby, found Friday afternoon near the Halawa Correctional Facility, was taken to the Honolulu Zoo.

The wallaby is likely the same one spotted near the prison on Valentine’s Day and at other times.

Public Safety spokeswoman Toni Schwartz said the wallaby was seen a few times outside the peri­meter of the facility.

City spokesman Andrew Perreira said the marsupial arrived at the zoo’s animal hospital at about 5:45 p.m. and was being assessed. “They will decide what the next step will be,” he said.

Janelle Saneishi, spokeswoman for the Department of Agriculture, said personnel responded to the report of the animal, captured it within 15 minutes, placed it in a dog carrier and transported it to the zoo, where veterinarians will assess it.

Agriculture inspectors estimate it is between 2-1/2 and 3 feet tall, weighing about 30 to 40 pounds, had a swollen eye and was not moving much.

Saneishi said she is unsure whether initial reports of the animal being struck by a vehicle were correct. When the wallaby arrived at the zoo, “it was hopping around,“ she said.

The shy animals, similar to kangaroos, have long, bushy tails and small ears. They were introduced to Oahu from Australia in 1916 when a pair of breeding adults escaped from a private zoo in Alewa Heights. They have established themselves on the rocky cliffs of Kalihi Valley and feed on non-native Christmas berry bushes, and are not considered a threat to the environment.