A family from the Puyallup area is currently experiencing an unusual type of separation anxiety - their pet emu is missing. The bird, standing at an impressive 5-foot-5 and known by the simple names "emu" or "emu, emu," disappeared after a gate was mysteriously opened on their property. Sherry Cassidy disclosed this unexpected absence to The News Tribune, saying the family was unsure if someone had entered their yard with the intention to abduct the animal or had other motives.
Washington state has already seen its fair share of escaped animals this year, with a zebra making news by roaming freely for nearly a week after a trailer latch incident. This time, it's an emu's turn to unexpectedly explore the Washington landscape, prompting a search and concerns for its safety in traffic. As the family spokespeople struggle to track down their large, flightless bird, they've had to quickly adapt to become makeshift wildlife wranglers, according to a report from MyNorthwest.
The emu was last seen in the family's backyard on Friday. When the next day's light revealed the open gate, it was discovered that two of their three emus were gone. One was captured, but the other remains at large. A mere one tip on the emu's whereabouts has been reported, leading to a dead end. "Unfortunately, I'm thinking someone came in either to take them or take other stuff, but the fact nobody has spotted them in the area tells me somebody has the emu," Cassidy told KING 5. The family has made efforts to spread the word through social media and flyers, urging those who spot the emu to avoid chasing it into danger.
Cassidy urges anyone who spots the emu to guide her into a fenced yard if possible and then to call them for retrieval. "If you see the emu out and about, don't chase it into the road. She's really sweet, don't be scared of her. She has no knowledge of cars or traffic, so try to keep her away from the road," Cassidy expressed in a statement obtained by KING 5. The origin of the emus in Cassidy's family began with her boyfriend's wish to raise one. Given their sociable nature, the pair ended to up with three of the birds, which quickly became beloved pets.
