No One Is Claiming Escaped Emus on Long Island

Do three emus constitute a mob? That’s how many were rescued on a busy roadway in Selden, New York a few weeks ago. 

The Strong Island Animal Rescue said in a Facebook post that they were alerted to a baby emu loose on Middle County Road, but when arrived on the scene they found not one but three juvenile emus, running around and “in danger of getting hit by cars.”

The rescue filmed its founder, Frankie Floridia, rounding up the wayward birds. “No other agencies were available and these birds were in danger,” the group said. “Frankie single handedly wrestled these extremely strong emus and got them safely contained in the cab of his vehicle.”

Once the emus were safe, what to do with them on Long Island? Shortly after the rescue, arrangements were made with the Sweetbriar Nature Center in nearby Smithtown, which took in the wayward birds. So far, no one has come forward to claim the animals, which makes the rescuers suspect they were pets kept illegally without the proper permits, or possibly they were being raised for food.

The emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae) can grow to six feet tall or more and weigh over 100 pounds. They can run 30 miles an hour on a sprint, which is probably one reason they are so good at escaping captivity. As a species of “least concern,” the birds are thriving  all over Australia.

Sweetbriar Nature Center says it will give the birds all the necessary veterinary care they need, then put them up for adoption. Visit the website if you’re feeling parental (or to just donate to the cause).

Photo credit: Strong Island Rescue