An emu bolted from its owner and led Santa Cruz County deputies on a chase through local streets, with officials eventually coaxing the bird off the road using treats. Video of the pursuit shows the flightless bird darting around as deputies worked to keep it away from passing cars while they waited for its owner to arrive and take it home.
The footage, shared by the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office, shows officials trying to lead the emu off the road with snacks, according to WBAL News Radio. The sheriff’s office said deputies worked to keep the bird out of traffic while they waited for its owner to come get it. Once the situation was resolved, authorities posted a photo of the emu posing with police and its owner, capping off what had been a tense roadside standoff between law enforcement and a very determined bird.
Another Loose Emu Traffic Scare
A separate Santa Cruz County emu-related traffic scare involved multiple calls about a different emu walking into traffic near Harper Street and 17th Avenue, as reported by UPI. In that case, the emu’s owner arrived on scene and California Highway Patrol troopers helped corral the bird so it could be safely returned home.
The earlier incident also drew multiple calls to the California Highway Patrol, according to KSBW, which reported the bird was seen running in and out of traffic before officers were able to safely corral it.
A Pattern of Escaped Birds
Emus breaking loose and causing traffic headaches isn’t unique to Santa Cruz. Earlier this month, Prince George County Animal Services in Virginia captured an emu that had been running loose near Loving Union Road, according to UPI.
Whether these California birds belong to the same household or are unrelated escapees hasn’t been established in the reporting on either incident. What is clear is that, for Santa Cruz County deputies, chasing down an emu with a bag of treats has become an unexpected part of the job this month.
