Concern is growing for the safety of Stanley the armadillo, who has escaped from his enclosure at Animal Magic, a petting zoo near Hailsham in East Sussex. The six-banded armadillo forced open the door of his log cabin enclosure before disappearing into the surrounding area.
Public warned not to pick up the animal
Stanley was last spotted on the Cuckoo Trail, which runs between Heathfield and Polegate. Members of the public have been asked to report any sightings, but anyone who comes across the runaway animal has been warned against trying to pick him up because he may bite.
Chris Coetzer, co-owner of Animal Magic, warned that Stanley is "quite stinky". He told The Telegraph that Stanley was "quite friendly" and would happily approach people for food.
Owner describes Stanley as a 'much loved boy'
Mr Coetzer said: "He'll come and take food out of your hand. He loves a back scratch. The only thing with armadillos is, they don't smell particularly good. He's quite stinky."
Mr Coetzer said he was "anxious to get him back", describing Stanley as a "very much loved boy" who was a valuable member of the collection. He said: "I'd really like to get him back, because he's quite a valuable and very much liked character in our collection. He's a very much loved boy for us."
Risks and previous escape
Despite his disappearance, Mr Coetzer said he was not hugely concerned about Stanley's ability to look after himself. However, he warned that the animal could be at risk if he crosses a road and is hit by a car. There is also the possibility of Stanley encountering predators while he is out in the wild.
Mr Coetzer said: "Armadillos can look after themselves. I don't particularly think anything like a fox would be trying his luck, but with badgers, you don't know."
Stanley weighs between 3kg and 4kg and is around 40cm long. His owner believes he may have been tempted to escape by the smell of food from a nearby farm shop or campsite. The animal has escaped before, having previously made a break for freedom during a party. On that occasion, Mr Coetzer was forced to chase after him and said he had to run "quite fast" to catch him.
Distinctive features and how to help
Stanley's armoured shell and short legs may make him look slow, but armadillos can move quickly and have long, sharp claws. They are native to Central and South America and eat a varied diet including insects, fruit, eggs, crickets and cockroaches. Armadillos can legally be kept in Britain with a Dangerous Wild Animal licence. The species also faces predators in its natural habitat including coyotes, bobcats, cougars, black bears, alligators and large birds of prey.
The immediate priority, however, is to locate Stanley before he comes to harm. Anyone who spots the missing armadillo has been asked to contact Animal Magic rather than attempting to catch him. For those searching for the runaway, his distinctive appearance may be the biggest clue – although, according to his owner, his smell could prove even more useful.
