While most grey nomads are keenly aware of the dangers that Australian wildlife can pose as they travel the country … emus are not always high on ‘I’d-better-watch-out-for-that’ list.
But maybe they should be! One of the giant birds has apparently been causing a degree of alarm and distress at the Parklands Conservation Park on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.
The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) says it has received 11 complaints about emus in the reserve in the past five years … although it says seven of those were from the same individual.
In the most recent incident, a member of the public was riding his horse in the park when an emu approached him and became aggressive, causing the horse to bolt.
“Local rangers have spoken to a family member of the person involved in the most recent incident and have issued a Park Alert reminding all visitors, particularly horse riders, to take care when visiting the conservation park,” said a Department of Environment, Science and Innovation spokesperson. “Signage has also been installed within the park advising actions people can take to stay safe.”
The spokesperson said rangers were continuing to closely monitor the health and behaviour of the emus, and will be investigating additional management options.
The QPWS stressed it had also received multiple reports of user groups having a positive interaction with emus, and had received support from park users, neighbours, and wildlife groups for the species to stay in the park.
Emus are a protected species and the authorities urge members of the public to keep their distance and to never feed wild animals.
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Yes, we have, twice!
At a popular lodge near the Little Desert National Park VIV, my wife was continually harassed by an over amorous male emu, The manager just laughed it off & said that he did it to a lot of women.
While camped at Warrawong On The Darling caravan park at Wilcannia we & others were continually harassed by a resident emu. I was having a coffee & biscuit under our awning when it came up behind me, reached over my shoulder & shoved its head into my cup spilling hot coffee all over my lap. Park management were aware of the culprit & thought it was funny.