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North Jersey Emu Finally Captured After Two-Week Escapade
26 Jun
Summary
- Emu roaming North Jersey towns for nearly two weeks was captured.
- Animal Control Officer used apples and a pen to safely trap the bird.
- The emu's origin and owner remain unknown after its capture.
A stray emu that had been on the loose in North Jersey for almost two weeks was finally apprehended on the afternoon of June 25. The bird was captured on Colby Drive in Byram by Hopatcong Animal Control Officer Gianna DiMatteo. A resident on the street had been assisting the emu by providing food and water, which helped keep it in the vicinity.
Officer DiMatteo constructed a 10x10 foot pen with a gate. The emu, reportedly observing the process, was enticed into the pen with apples and subsequently secured. The bird was then transported to Space Farms for care. As of Thursday, June 26, the emu's owner and origin are still unknown.
The emu was first reported on June 13, leading to sightings in Budd Lake and the Cranberry Lake area before its capture in Byram. Emus, native to Australia, are the second-largest birds and can run up to 30 mph. New Jersey classifies emus as agricultural livestock, exempting them from permit requirements for possession, although local ordinances may still apply.
