In 1791, a live Kangaroo, advertised on a Broadside Handbill, as The wonderful Kanguroo from Botany Bay, was exhibited for the first time in the Hay Market district of London.  For an admittance fee of a shilling, the crowds could delight at what one reporter described as the most amazing, beautiful and tame animal from the Southern Hemisphere that almost surpasses belief.

The Kangaroo was removed from the Hay Market, and was exhibited at the Lyceum in the Strand and advertised on a Broadside Handbill.

(The Broadside Handbill incorrectly claiming the first live specimen in Europe.  It does appear to be the earliest recorded handbill advertising the public display of the Kangaroo in Europe).

THE WONDERFUL KANGUROO

From BOTANY BAY,
(The only One ever bought alive to Europe)

To be seen at the LYCEUM, in the STRAND, from 8 in the Morning till 8 in the Evening.

This amazing, beautiful, and tame Animal, is about five Feet in Height, of a fawn Colour, and distinguishes itself in Shape, Make and true Symmetry of parts, different from other QUADRUPEDS.  Its Swiftness when pursued, is superior to the Greyhound: to enumerate its extraordinary Qualities would far exceed the common Limits of a Public Notice in general are pleased, and bestow their Plaudits; the Ingenious are delighted; the Virtuoso and Connoisseur, are taught to admire! Impressing the Beholder with Wonder and Astonishment, at the Sight of this unparalleled Animal from the Southern Hemisphere, that almost surpasses Belief, therefore Ocular Demonstration will exceed all that Words can describe, or pencil delineate….Admittance, ONE SHILLING each.

   Inscribed: 1794 … I saw it, and was surprised to find the View annexed, taken at a Glance, so very near Accuracy.  W.B. – A gentle, pleasing lively creature; died in 1798 or 1799.

Reference
NLA Call Number: F/Broadside N25

Surgeon General to the colony, John White wrote in his Journal of a Voyage to New South Wales:
Friday, 8^th February 1788: This day, for the first time a Kangaroo was shot and brought into camp.

In December 1792, when the Atlantic departed Sydney Cove it had on board various specimens of the natural productions of the country, timber, plants, animals, and birds.  Among the animals were four fine kangaroos, and several native dogs, as noted by David Collins in his publication An Account of the English Colony in New South Wales.