Searches are underway for a wallaby which made a daring escape from a Scottish petting zoo.
The creature, native to Australia, is now thought to be living in the wilds of Aberdeenshire after going missing from Waulkmill Menagerie near Turriff.
Eddie, as the wallaby has been named, was delivered north from a breeder in England along with brother Edward and it was hoped the pair would be a new exotic attraction for the zoo.
But just a day after being dropped off on Sunday night, bosses noticed that they were one wallaby down and have since appealed to help get him back.
Nikki Johnstone, the owner of the attraction, said: "We have had no more sightings of him sadly since he made his escape.
"This is really unusual behaviour and I can't believe all the attention it is getting.
"I am worried about him in a new place and the weather getting colder, but he isn't a threat to any predator or himself being threatened, which gives me some peace of mind."
The creatures are native to the warmer climates of Australia and New Guinea and Nikki said they require heat lamps to keep them warm when the temperatures drop below zero.
She added: "He is probably snuggled up somewhere so should be ok.
"He will just be eating grass. It is catching him that's going to be the hard part.
"The breeder down south dropped him and his brother off on the Sunday and then he had escaped by the Monday afternoon.
"He was gone so quickly that I never even had a chance to take a picture of him."
Eddie's brother Edward is now the sole wallaby at the attraction which boats a range of animals including goats, pigs and even emus.
A statement on the petting zoo website said the animals 'love cuddles'.
It reads: "All ages will love this experience. So far Waulkmill Menagerie consists of Ponies, Donkeys, Goats, Sheep, Dogs, Pigs, Ducks, Chickens, Turkeys, Emu's, Rabbits, Micro Pig, Ferrets and Guinea Pigs with many more animals in the pipe line like Rhea and Wallabys.
"Most animals have been hand reared, they are all very friendly, and they love cuddles."
If you have seen a wallaby in the north-east of Scotland or have any information please contact Nikki at: waulkmill.menagerie@yahoo.com
Last July a Scots lad was stunned after discovering a wallaby on a late night drive.
Finn O'Hagan saw the creature, native to Australia, and initially thought it was a cat he had spotted near Striling.
In incredible footage he filmed his encounter with the wallaby after getting out the car.
