Memorial tree planned in tribute to dead wallaby

The wallaby had fled after his paddock was damaged by Storm Amy

A memorial tree is to be planted in memory of a wallaby after he was hit by a vehicle and died.

Mr Willoughby Wallaby fled his paddock at Roots at Thorpe Farm in Barkby Thorpe, Leicestershire, after it was damaged in a tree fall during Storm Amy on 17 September.

But after days of searching the countryside, including from the air using drones, his body was found on a roadside in the village.

Farmer George Mount said Mr Willoughby Wallaby's ashes would be placed at the roots of a newly planted tree "so he will remain close and in our thoughts and hearts".

Mr Willoughby Wallaby went missing when a fallen tree was thought to have spooked him during the storm.

'So sad'

Mr Mount thanked the community for their support in the search to find him.

He posted on social media: "Although the outcome was not as we had hoped, your love, support and sense of belonging meant so much to us.

"We are planting a tree with the ashes of Mr Willoughby Wallaby at the Root - but not in the wallaby field, though, after the part the last tree played!"

Comments under his post welcomed the tree tribute.

One wrote: "So sad. I couldn't stop thinking about it for days afterwards. Lovely thing to do."

Another read: "That's a lovely idea, and it's so sad of the outcome but how lovely that everyone came together in whatever way they could. Fly high across the rainbow bridge, Willoughby".

Mr Willoughby Wallaby's brothers Rainbow, Roo and Rainford, who all moved to Leicestershire from a breeder in Exeter, Devon, in 2020, had "gotten used to being a three", said Mr Mount.