AN exotic beast was unexpectedly discovered on a washing line four stories high in Rutherglen. 

A surprised resident of Croftfoot Street in the town found a sugar glider, native to Australia, clinging to a towel from his washing line yesterday. 

The roaming marsupial is believed to be an escaped pet.

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The sugar glider is now in the care of the Scottish SCPA’s Lanarkshire Animal Rescue and Rehoming Centre.

Scottish SPCA animal rescue officer, Amy Stirton, said “The sugar glider was found clinging to a towel hanging from a washing line.

“The tiny marsupial was found four storeys high in a balcony area. We’re not sure how it came to be there, but it could have easily escaped from a cage and have an owner out there looking for it.

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“I’ve never come across a sugar glider in Scotland so this was a very unusual rescue. Sugar gliders get their name from the fact their diet is high in sweet foods such as nectar and pollen. They can also glide the length of a football pitch in one go due to their tiny webbed ‘wings’.  

“Sugar gliders are not native to the UK so we think it must be an escaped pet.

“We are keen to trace the owner as soon as possible. If anyone recognises this animal, please contact our confidential animal helpline on 03000 999 999.”