The ''Runaway Emu'' of central Illinois is finally back home!
By Marie Coyle
@MarieCoyle (34024)
July 11, 2024 8:21am CST
We have had an Emu running loose through central Illinois for TWO YEARS. It has narrowly escaped death literally dozens of times, ran across interstates and in front of big trucks, visited various cities and towns, schools, churches, yards, gardens...you name it, that Emu has had a wild two years. So, so many tries by various agencies as well as owners to capture it alive, and it never worked.
It was said that the Emu could not be tranquilized, as they have a fragile respiratory system, and it would kill it. So that wasn't an option. It started visiting a yard on the edge of a nearby small town, as they had a kiddie pool set up for water for the various animals nearby to get a drink. The homeowners contacted the owners of the Emu, who were thrilled to try to safely capture their pet. They brought the Emu's favorite food (not knowing what this was) and some tall metal fence sections that join together. They built a horseshoe corral around the little pool, with the food next to it.
It worked! The Emu went into the 3-sided fence to get her drink and her food, and they quickly rushed up and got the last fence panel in place. Amazingly, the Emu is in great shape, well fed, and appears very healthy, although the owners did say they would have a veterinarian look at it to be sure. She is home now--after two years of running wild and free!
The oddest thing about the Emu being captured? People everywhere followed the Emu's sightings and worried it would be killed. Now, many are saying they will miss reading the Emu's adventures. But she is finally home.
I like happy endings!
Meteorologist Jacob Dickey
12h ·
BREAKING NEWS: LADY EMU HAS BEEN CAUGHT!
After 2 years on the run, the Emu was caught with the help of a plan that took days to accomplish. She is now heading home to be reunited with the mob of emus in Danville.
10 people like this
9 responses
@MarieCoyle (34024)
•
11 Jul
We have been reading and hearing Emu Liberty Mutual jokes for two years now. The company should put her in a commercial!
2 people like this
@porwest (85053)
• United States
12 Jul
@MarieCoyle Why not capitalize on a good story, right?
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (34024)
•
13 Jul
@porwest
I think it would be a great story that Liberty could run with!
1 person likes this
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@JudyEv (334404)
• Rockingham, Australia
12 Jul
@MarieCoyle We would 'blow' the egg then make a sponge in a baking tin.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (34024)
•
11 Jul
I know they have grown in popularity here in the Midwest. People love Emu eggs!
2 people like this
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@MarieCoyle (34024)
•
13 Jul
I have often wished animals could talk. Oh, the tales they could tell!
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (34024)
•
13 Jul
Her owners were very glad to take her home at last.
1 person likes this
@just4him (317038)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
13 Jul
@MarieCoyle I'm sure they were.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (34024)
•
11 Jul
Her family never gave up trying to catch her. So, it’s good that she is home again.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (34024)
•
11 Jul
We enjoyed following her antics, but I was always afraid she would be hit by a car or truck. Oh, if she could talk, the tales she could tell!
1 person likes this
@Rimps85 (1605)
• India
11 Jul
@MarieCoyle she should have carried a body-cam with her...and that would have been fun to watch those encounters
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (34024)
•
12 Jul
@Rimps85
Other people have said the same thing, that it would be fun to watch where all she went. She was seen in a huge area--she showed up in cities, towns, villages, everywhere.
1 person likes this
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@MarieCoyle (34024)
•
12 Jul
I’ve owned chickens and ducks before, but Emu requires more room than I ever had. I think they are fascinating.
@MarieCoyle (34024)
•
12 Jul
After two years of running around, I am rather shocked they managed to do it. Food can work wonders!
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (170715)
• United States
12 Jul
I am so glad the Emu is home safe. How it survived for 2 years is beyond me. Have a good weekend.
1 person likes this
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