The 52-year-old spotted the animal, which he has nicknamed “Wally” near Sedgefield and Coxhoe during his morning commute on Saturday (August 29).
The groundsman, who works at an estate in North Yorkshire, turned his car around having initially thought it was a “funny-looking dog”.
He said: “I was on my way to work and spotted him, or maybe her, up ahead by the side of the road.
“I said to myself, ‘That’s a funny-looking dog,’ then drove past and realised it wasn’t a dog but an escaped wallaby. At least I think it’s a wallaby rather than a kangaroo.
“I had to turn round and come back for a second look to make sure I wasn’t hallucinating.”
‘Not in Sedgefield’
The animal appeared unconcerned by the encounter, he said, until another vehicle approached.
“He was just looking at me without a care in the world until another car came past and he hopped off towards Coxhoe,” the man said.
“You expect to see that sort of thing in Whipsnade, but not in Sedgefield.”
The man, who has lived in Sedgefield for several years, said he had no idea where it may have come from.
The sighting comes just weeks after another suspected wallaby was seen hopping across Canney Hill in Bishop Auckland at about 10pm on August 8.
Driver Gary Weatherston said he and his nephew had watched the animal cross the road before it disappeared towards nearby allotments.
What to do if you spot one
The RSPCA has previously advised people who see a wallaby in the wild to keep their distance and not attempt to approach it.
A spokesperson said: “Our advice to people who spot a wallaby in the wild is to watch from afar, enjoy the unusual sight and don’t try to approach them.
“Sightings should be reported to UK Wallaby Sightings, and iRecord for non-native species.
“Most people may be unaware that wallabies are considered established in the wild in Britain, as a result of escaping from captivity, although they are not a native species to the UK.
“Some people also keep them in private collections, so it’s possible this wallaby is lost or has escaped from a private property.”
Anyone who sees an injured wallaby should monitor it from a safe distance and call the RSPCA’s emergency line on 0300 1234 999.
Have you spotted a wallay around County Durham? Leave a comment below
