Lincolnshire Police urges people to stop chasing ‘on the loose’ emu in their cars

A large emu has been spotted recently near Spilsby, with police having to urge people to stop chasing it in their cars.

Lincolnshire Police said it is unclear where the bird came from, but it has been on the run for weeks.

Animal rescuers from National Exotics Animal Rescue Service (NEARS) were called to catch the bird but their attempts were slowed by public interference.

NEARS tried to gain the emu’s trust by feeding it in the same place. The plan seemed to be working until members of the public chased the bird in a 4×4, scaring it and undoing weeks of work.

As a result, both NEARS and the police have urged people not to approach or chase the animal. NEARS warned that doing so could cause rescue attempts to fail as well as potentially scaring the emu into the road.

Instead, the Lincolnshire Police asks that anyone who has information, or spots the emu, get in contact with NEARS via Facebook.

A statement by a police spokesperson said: “There have been reports of an emu on the loose in the Spilsby area for a couple of weeks.

“National Exotics Animal Rescue Service (NEARS) are at the scene and have advised that a specialist team has been drafted in to coordinate her capture. Experts have been trying to gain her trust by feeding her in the same spot for a while, however, efforts are being scuppered and staff and volunteers are concerned because members of the public have been chasing her in 4x4s.

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“If she continues to be agitated in this way, there is a risk of her running into the path of oncoming vehicles causing harm to herself or others. Members of the public are being asked to allow NEARS to carry out their work and to not attempt to approach the emu.”

Social media users quickly commented on the post, showing concern for the animal with one user saying: “You mean lampers chasing her, not just any ‘members of the public’, she was actively hunted.”

Another person added: “Who would want to be so horrible to chase the bird in their cars?”

Others took a more light-hearted approach saying the only man for the job is Wile E Coyote, and another joking that the bucket made it seem like the police had covered her identity in images shared to Facebook.

Featured image via Facebook