Emu on the loose captured in rural Ontario; police seek help identifying owner

An emu was captured after it was spotted on the loose in a rural area of Ontario.

Police seek the public’s assistance identifying the bird’s owners after it was caught running loose on Friday, Nottawasaga OPP said in a post on X at 12:40 p.m.

Nottawasaga is an area south of Barrie, which includes New Tecumseth, Adjala-Tosorontio and Essa.

The bird was first spotted around Concession Road 4, police said.

“Officers have successfully captured our two-legged friend but have been unsuccessful in locating where this emu came from,” police said.

A flightless bird and the world’s second largest, emu are native to Australia. They can be five feet tall and may weigh more than 100 pounds, according to Britannica.

Emus are sometimes kept for their meat, oil and leather. The bird can reach speeds of nearly 50 km/h and there have been reports of emus on the loose in the past. In October, an emu was spotted running free in the Bancroft area.

Anyone with information on the identity of the Nottawasaga emu can contact OPP at 1-888-310-1122.

#NottyOPP responded to a emu on the loose around Concession Road 4. Officers have successfully captured our two-legged friend but have been unsuccessful in locating where this emu came from. Anyone with information contact #NottyOPP at 1-888-310-1122 reference #E241521569. ^mc pic.twitter.com/p9Rr8pcR9z

— OPP Central Region (@OPP_CR) November 15, 2024