Rogue Emu in Boston Has Evaded Authorities For Over a Week

When you think of officials chasing after something on the run, the last thing you imagine is an emu. Locals who had seen this creature running directly next to the windows of their homes had to do a double-take to ensure their eyes weren’t playing tricks on them.

After all, how often do you see an emu in your yard? Massachusetts Animal Control is on the hunt to find the wild animal. The emu has been seen by numerous Lakeville residents wandering about town.

According to a Facebook post by Lakeville Animal Control Officer David Frates, the emu has been spotted in a number of locations, making it challenging to pinpoint its specific location. Frates stated that animal control is in dire need of assistance locating the ideal spot to capture the animal because a man with expertise in collecting emus is eager to help.

As you can guess, emus are not native to New England. The one on the loose in Massachusetts is someone’s pet. The emu’s owner recently relocated out of state, and the bird reportedly fled on the day of the move. 

Frates claimed that the emu’s absence of a place to call home renders it more challenging to capture. This is just another example of why owning wild animals is often a bad idea. Now, this creature is in a foreign environment with no other of its species. 

David Frates knows that animal’s owner and mentions he will be in touch if they catch the wild bird. 

Facts About Emus

Emus are huge, peculiar birds with lengthy necks like a giraffe. They have a ton of feathers, and powerful legs that make them easy to spot. Ostriches, their somewhat larger African cousins, can occasionally outshine them, yet they are just as fascinating, entertaining, and admirable. 

Emus can reach heights of six feet, have a tail length of five feet, and weigh as much as 120 pounds. Emus may sprint at rates of up to 30 miles per hour thanks to their peculiar legs, which can take extremely long strides. 

These animals have a powerful vertical leap that allows them to quickly ascend nearly seven feet off the ground. They are considered excellent swimmers, yet they typically only go into the water when absolutely necessary. 

An empty drum might be comparable to the low, deep vocalization of an emu. They may sing like birds and growl as well. Although the sound might be powerful, its frequency is so low that it can be hard to hear.

We hope that if the emu on the run makes any sounds, it helps the wildlife officials capture the bird and bring it to safety. If you spot the lost animal, call animal control at (508) 947-3891. 

The photo featured at the top of this post is © colacat/Shutterstock.com