Rogue Emu Captured After 60 Days On The Run In Delaware

This emu, a flightless bird native to Australia, is discovered running loose in a Clay Township farm field in Morgan County near Martinsville, Ind., Tuesday, March 15, 2005. Volunteers helped nab the ostrich-like bir... This emu, a flightless bird native to Australia, is discovered running loose in a Clay Township farm field in Morgan County near Martinsville, Ind., Tuesday, March 15, 2005. Volunteers helped nab the ostrich-like bird that might have been on the run for several months. (AP Photo/The Reporter-Times, A.J. Nelson) MORE LESS
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ODESSA, Del. (AP) — An emu whose escape more than 60 days ago prompted lockdowns at two Delaware elementary schools has been captured.

Daniel Shortridge is a spokesman for the state Department of Agriculture. He is quoted by The News-Journal of Wilmington as saying that private parties and state officials netted the flightless bird Thursday afternoon at the Stonefield housing development near Odessa.

Dan Stonebraker is co-owner of 3 Palms Petting Zoo in Clayton. He says the bird has been put in a trailer and will be moved to a secure facility.

The runaway emu was spotted Monday near Spring Meadow Elementary School and Old State Elementary School, leading to a “soft lockdown” at both schools.

Over the past week, authorities have received a growing number of calls from people who had spotted the bird or come close to hitting it.

Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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  1. That emu has got the Groucho Marx walk down cold.

  2. The bird is harmless and there is no justification for killing it. It belongs in Australia not Delaware so it’s just doing the best it can.

  3. Thanks Obama…

  4. At last, I can finally stop sleeping with a loaded AR-15 beside my bed.

  5. The agency has asked police to shoot the emu if public safety is at risk. Shortridge says killing the bird isn’t the preferred solution.

    Because, after all, it may be able to kill with a single kick, but it’s not like it’s an unarmed black man.

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