World · East Asia & Pacific · 3 hrs ago
Pet emu Eric frustrates a pensioner in north Queensland
In Bluewater, near Townsville in north Queensland, pensioner Mal Richards says a pet emu called Eric has been pestering him for nine months.
Richards says the bird follows him around his property and makes him wary of doing chores outside.
He is concerned because emus can kick, and says the bird also leaves droppings on his driveway.
Richards has contacted local and state authorities, but says none has moved the emu on.
Rangers say the emu has shown no concerning behaviour, and residents are being told to give it space and not feed it.
A wildlife educator says Eric may be unusually friendly because it was raised as a pet, and advises people to back away slowly if it seems threatening.
The council says keeping an emu can be allowed on properties larger than 2,000 square metres if legal requirements, including a suitable enclosure, are met.
Pensioner Mal Richards says a pet emu known as Eric has been pestering him at his home in Bluewater, on the outskirts of Townsville.
Richards says he is afraid to go into his garden and that the bird follows him around while he does chores.
He says he has reported the emu to the Townsville City Council and state departments but has not received help to move it.
A state department says rangers have monitored the emu and have not seen concerning behaviour.
Wildlife educator Jackie Hasling says Eric was raised as a pet and advises residents to give the bird space and not feed it.
- Who
- Pensioner Mal Richards says he is being pestered by Eric, a female emu known to residents in Bluewater.
- What
- Richards says the emu follows him around his yard and leaves him afraid to go outside. He wants authorities to help move it.
- When
- Richards says the emu has been pestering him for the past nine months.
- Where
- Bluewater, on the outskirts of Townsville in north Queensland.
- Why
- Hasling said Eric was raised as a pet and was likely friendlier than non-domesticated emus. The department said it had not seen concerning behaviour.
Mal Richards
Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation
Concern about the emu
Mal Richards
Richards says he is afraid to go into his garden and that Eric follows him around while he does chores.
Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation
The department says rangers have monitored the emu and have not seen concerning behaviour.
Response
Mal Richards
Richards says he has reported the bird to authorities but they have been unable to help move it.
Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation
The department asks residents to give the emu space and not feed it or provide access to food.
Richards says Eric has been pestering him at his home.
He says he contacted the Townsville City Council and state government departments, but they have been unable to help move it.
Department rangers have been monitoring an emu in Bluewater and have not seen concerning behaviour.
- Emu
- Eric, a female bird known locally by that name
- Resident
- Mal Richards, a pensioner
- Location
- Bluewater, on the outskirts of Townsville
- Duration
- Richards says the emu has pestered him for nine months
- Property size rule
- Council says keeping an emu is not prohibited on blocks larger than 2,000 square metres if applicable laws are met
What people are saying
I've got to do my daily chores and every time I turn around, he's under my feet.
It seems friendly, but I don't trust them.
Residents are asked to give the emu plenty of space and not to feed it or provide it access to food,
She's certainly a little legend around Bluewater,