Have you seen our coastal emus?

Published on 22 February 2021

With less than 50 known individuals on the east coast of Australia, our endangered coastal emus need your help.

The coastal emu range extends from Corindi to Evans Head along the northern New South Wales coast and inland to Bungawalbin wetlands and surrounds, but the the main coastal emu strongholds remain near Yuraygir National Park and Bungawalbin National Park.

Knowing where coastal emus are helps us learn why emus prefer a particular habitat, why certain habitats contain more individuals than other similar habitats and why coastal emus are declining from particular areas. By understanding their distribution and movement paths, we can also determine the conservation value of regional zones and further develop management guidelines for natural resources.

We're keen to learn about where you've seen coastal emus. To let us know, got to our Coastal Emu Register, which lets you pin-point a coastal emu sighting location on a map. Evidence of emu activity includes actual sightings, hearing drumming, tracks, scats, feathers, or eggs.

You can also register a coastal emu sighting by contacting the Natural Resource Management team on 02 6643 0200.

Population threats 

Coastal emus are exposed to a number of known threats in developed areas, including vehicle strikes, fencing, loss of habitat, feral animals, weeds and fire. 

Here are some other ways you can help protect them: 

On the road

Emus move large distances to forage, often crossing roads in their travels where they become at risk of vehicle strike. Please take notice of emu signs and slow down accordingly, being extra vigilant in these areas. It’s only with the help of motorists that we can hope to reduce unnecessary deaths of this iconic population.

Fences

Fences can prevent emus from moving freely across the landscape.

You can help by:

• installing emu-friendly fences they can climb over, under or through
• installing emu gates in known traffic areas that can allow emus to transit whilst restricting movement to livestock
• using emu-friendly single-strand wire, rather than barbed wire to prevent injury to coastal emus.

Habitat

To ensure our emus have access to safe, suitable bushland refuges we need to improve their habitat.

• Get to know the trees in your area that coastal emus rely on for food and shelter.
• Protect forest habitat - it should be retained and enhanced to maintain refuge areas and corridor links.
• By retaining and planting emu food plants, you'll help to repair key habitat and create corridors that allow coastal emus to move safely.

Feral animals

Attack from feral animals (such as pigs, dogs and foxes) are a cause of emu injury and death, primarily in chicks. Disturbance of nests during the breeding season is also taking a toll on coastal emu populations.

You can reduce the risk of feral animal impacts by:

• Containing your pet dog, ideally secured in an enclosure that keeps your dog in and emus out. Emus are most active during the day. Containing your dog during this time will allow emus to move about safely.
• Controlling your pet dog - keep your dog on a lead when you are walking in areas where emus are known to occur to prevent them from chasing coastal emus or disrupting their nests.
• Wild dog, feral pig and feral fox control may help reduce these risks to emus. If you have feral animals in your area, contact Local Land Services on 1300 795 299 for information on control options.

Weeds

The degradation of coastal ecosystems by weeds can have an impact on coastal emus, as they create impenetrable areas that restrict natural emu movement.

You can help by:

• controlling weeds on your property
• getting involved with a local Landcare group to remove weeds in vegetation corridors and reserves.

Fire

Emus can potentially escape fire if they have access to unburned habitat, which can also provide a refuge until the burnt areas regenerate.

You can help by:

• consulting the local Rural Fire Service for advice about fire hazard reduction
• maintaining fire breaks to reduce the likelihood of wildfire entering your property
• controlling bushland weeds to reduce fire risk.

Injured, sick or orphaned emus

If you suspect an emu needs help, please call WIRES on 1300 094 737. Experienced, trained handlers will advise what should be done to help the emu.