Escaped emu ruffles feathers in Nanaimo

NANAIMO, B.C. – Emus are flightless, but that hasn’t stopped one from flying the coop near Nanaimo, B.C.

Lucy the emu launched its big adventure more than 48 hours ago and, since then, the nearly two-metre tall, 70 kilogram bird has been cagey, rather than be caged.

Owner Tim Genner says Lucy, who has been raised by humans, and was discovered to be male long after being named, has been spotted more than 20 kilometres north of the family’s Cassidy farm.

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The bird was sighted Tuesday in downtown Nanaimo where Genner says Lucy is likely to seek human company, but he also worries the pet could be hit by a passing vehicle.

He expects Lucy spent Tuesday night in a park, but the bird is strong and fast, so Genner says catching it will be like herding a 150 pound cat.

Anyone with a pocket full of grapes could become Lucy’s best friend but Genner and Nanaimo RCMP agree an expert will be needed to ensnare the evasive emu. (CKAY, Times Colonist)