Local News

Emu spottings have Mass. town confused

Are you missing a couple of emus? If so, the Blackstone Valley Animal Control officer would like a word.

Oscar Rivera / AFP / Getty Images, File

May 11, 2024

1 minute to read

Animal control officials hope to track down the owners of a pair of emus that are on the loose in the Blackstone Valley.

Hikers spotted the emus Thursday on a trail in the 120-acre Mendon Town Forest, WCVB reported.

The Blackstone Regional Animal Shelter shared a Facebook post from an animal control officer urging its owners to contact authorities.

“Do you live in Mendon or Millville, have or have had 2 Emus and cannot locate them? Please call Blackstone Valley Animal Control at 508-883-BVAC (2822). Thank you! Sincerely, your disgruntled ACO…,” the post said.

Animal control officials said the emus did not escape from nearby Southwick’s Zoo.

Emus are native to Australia and are the second-fastest running bird in the world, reaching speeds of up to 30 mph. They can also grow as large as 6 feet tall and over 100 pounds, though the birds spotted in the Mendon Town Forest are estimated to be about 5 feet tall.

It’s not the first time an out-of-place emu has been spotted wandering around a Massachusetts community. In February 2023, police caught an emu running around Brockton after she escaped from her enclosure at a private residence. In September 2023, an emu was also captured in Lakeville.

Anyone who sees the emus is encouraged to call their local animal control department.