Bay of Islands Animal Rescue founder Summer Johnson has been called to all sorts of unusual animal situations. But a chase for a runaway emu takes the cake.
Johnson was called on Saturday by the emu’s owner to say the large flightless bird had escaped and was in the Northland town of Kawakawa.
The bird was in a frenzy around the town, known for its Hundertwasser toilets and cheap house prices.
“I was asking people in town if they’ve seen an emu and they must’ve thought I was on drugs,” Johnson said.
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“I found it several times but I couldn’t catch her.”
As emus are notorious for kicking with their large, clawed feet, Johnson was worried about luring the bird into her vehicle.
ANDY JACKSON/STUFF
Emu are the world’s third tallest and fifth heaviest bird, and can deliver a painful kick. (File photo)
However, she did not manage to get close enough to it.
Fortunately for her, the big bird fled to the countryside and after four days on the loose, was found in a paddock next to its home on Wednesday morning.
The animal’s owner did not want to be interviewed.
But Johnson said the incident was light relief in a “crazy” time of animal rescues, especially abandoned puppies and kittens.
Bay of Islands Animal Rescue offers free desexing and vaccination for pets of owners who can’t afford it, to help stop the cycle of abandoned animals, she said.
The organisation is run by volunteers and has helped re-home more than 3000 animals including dogs, cats, horses, sheep and rabbits.
