Emu on the Loose Sparks Calls to California Highway Patrol

A runaway emu caught drivers off guard in Santa Cruz County, California, after it was spotted running in and out of traffic, prompting numerous calls to the California Highway Patrol, the agency said.

Footage released by the California Highway Patrol’s Santa Cruz office shows the large flightless bird standing in a sunny dirt yard between a white-sided building and a thick green bush, with purple flowers in the foreground. The emu stretches its long neck and looks around before turning and wandering off behind the bush, as a deep, rhythmic drumming sound is heard in the background.

The agency said dispatchers received numerous calls a couple of days before its Oct. 14 post about an emu walking into traffic in the area of Harper Street and 17th Avenue, in the Live Oak area. “While we often deal with dogs, cats, deer, and occasionally birds, an Emu was unexpected,” the Highway Patrol said, adding that the bird’s owner quickly arrived on the scene and officers helped safely corral their “feathery friend” so it could be returned home. The agency thanked everyone who called in to report the unusual road hazard.

Just days later, the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office said deputies had chased a second escaped emu through local streets at night, using treats to keep it out of traffic until its owner arrived. “And no this is not a repeat offender from the CHP Santa Cruz emu incident. Different bird, same agenda: wreak havoc,” the sheriff’s office joked.

Emus, native to Australia, are the world’s second-tallest birds after the ostrich and can sprint at around 50 kilometers per hour, making them a challenge to catch once they get loose.