FAQ

Call Wildlife Rescue 1300 094 737 (WIRES) or go online:

https://www.wires.org.au/rescue/report-a-rescue 

Experienced, trained handlers will advise what should be done to assist the emu.

Knowing where emus are located in our landscape helps us to conserve the species. Data collection enables us to learn about why emus prefer a particular habitat, why certain habitats contain more species than other similar habitats, and why the species is declining from particular areas. By understanding their distribution, we can determine the conservation value of regional zones and further develop management guidelines for natural resources.

The most important pieces of information you can give us are location and time. This data is used to direct management decisions within council and state government. Help us out if you can and use an App on your phone when taking photos.

IPhone: Context Camera is available on the Apple iStore and can be used to record the latitude/longitude as decimal values inset on a photo, as well as a date/time stamp - two very handy bits of information.

Android: GPS Map Camera is available on the Google Play Store and can be used to record the latitude/longitude as decimal values inset on a photo, as well as a time stamp - two very handy bits of information. Once the App is open, click on the second icon from the top left, scroll to half way down the list and select Map + Lat/Long. This will provide us with a visual and numerical representation of location, as well as a date/time stamp.

Evidence of emu activity includes actual sightings, hearing drumming noises from female emus, scats, or nests. Please report all emu activity.

Coastal emus are listed as endangered under the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016, with fewer than 50 individuals known to remain on the east coast.

Their range extends from Corindi / Red Rock to Evans Head along the northern New South Wales coast and inland to Bungawalbin wetlands and surrounds. The main strongholds remain near Yuraygir National Park and Bungawalbin National Park.

Threats to emu survival includes

· Vehicle strike

· Barriers to movement such as fencing

· Habitat loss and loss of food plants

· Feral pests, such as pigs

· Degradation of coastal ecosystems by weeds and wildfire.

Local landholders, together with the Clarence Valley Council, the Office of Environment and Heritage and the Coastal Emu Alliance are working to protect these birds and their habitat.

You can learn more about our feathered friends on our website here. 

The NSW Government also has great information on our coastal emu population in Northern NSW and facts about emus.

< 1 month old = 12 cm tall, yellow-white and black striping.

1-3 months old = 25 cm tall, retain stripe pattern.

3-5 months old = 65 cm tall, stripes fading, head plumage darkening.

5-12 months old = 1 m tall, black to tan brown, similar to adult.

12-18 months old = 1.5 to 2 m tall, similar weight to adult, black plumage receding to bear blueish skin on the neck and head, remains with father for up to 18 months.

18+ months old (NA - Adult) = 1.5 to 2 m tall, plumage colouration changes complete, males with chicks from 2-3 years of age.

Females call through guttural drumming, while males grunt and whistle.

Females are larger than males.

The female has a pronounced air sac on her lower neck which is absent in the male.

Males will be positioned behind the female during copulation.