Emus On the Loose in NJ

Two flightless birds with a love of being on the lam are keeping police busy.

Daisy and Duke, two 6-foot, 130-pound emus, were reported missing Tuesday.

Mary Adams of Fairton, who own the animals, said Daisy was found four miles away in Cedarville on Wednesday, but Duke was still missing by nightfall.

He first escaped in early November, and was spotted at the Millville Airport before being captured Nov. 16 near Silver Run School.

"Here we go again," said Special Officer Anthony Cills of the Millville Police Department, who assists with animal control.

Adams said a goat had recently roamed onto her property and damaged the 5-foot mesh fence that surrounds the emu pen, giving the 4-year-old animals a chance to escape.

"The goat loves my emus and he moved right in. He gets underneath the fence and he eats their food," she said. "If anyone is the owner of this goat, I wish they would stand up and claim him."

Authorities said the animals are probably harmless, but people should not approach them.

"They shouldn't try to hurt you unless you try to hurt them," Cills told The Daily Record of Vineland. "But if they feel intimidated or threatened, they can kick forward and break your ribs."

Emus can be raised for meat or oil, but in the suburbs they are generally kept on estates as exotic pets.

Adams said her animals are gentle and not likely to harm anybody.

"They are very inquisitive, they like shiny things, they like emu food," she said. "They're unique and they fascinate me."

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Author: NBC10/AP