Wounded pride

Wobberley developed an abscess after Shane's high-flying kicks.

"They do have boxing matches and we think this was quite possibly a boxing injury," said Ray Jackson, who looks after both at his animal sanctuary in Ollerton.

"It looks exactly like kickboxing when they do it although they do tend not to hurt each other."

Last week though their fun and games went a bit too far. Shane - named after the Australian cricket spin bowler - left Wobberley with a swollen face and toothache after their games got out of hand.

The fight also posed problems for wardens at Lower Moss Wood animal hospital.

It took three of them to stop Wobberley bouncing around because they too had to avoid getting kicked.

"One of us had to grab the tail while the other two dived on it," said Ray. "The legs are the dangerous thing and could rip your stomach out if they caught you right." Vet Dave Walker treated the injured party for an hour at The Ark in Mobberley.

A dose of antibiotics helped cure the abscess - and ease Wobberley's wounded pride.

At 3ft the wallaby - more commonly found eating grass in Tasmania - can usually look after himself.

Last year he escaped from his pen at the animal sanctuary, but was eventually tracked down five fields away.

"He has been in intensive care, but when he started bouncing again we had to release him back into his pen," said Ray.