Animal control in Colorado responded to an ostrich report. It was an emu
DENVER (KDVR) — Sometimes, law enforcement is asked to respond to some uncommon calls. On Tuesday, for example, Weld County Sheriff’s Office Animal Control Officers responded to a report of an “ostrich in the roadway.”
The “ostrich” turned out to be an emu who was out wandering in the area of Weld County Road 76 and County Road 33. County animal control officers were able to capture and contain the large, flightless bird, and safely hold the emu in a nearby fenced residential yard — with permission from the owner.
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A passerby was able to identify the emu’s owner as Andrew Leffler, who was notified and picked up his emu, who he said was named Buddy.
“We got lucky,” Leffler told WCSO officers after Buddy was safely loaded up in his trailer and the ordeal was over.
Emus are native to Australia and according to the San Diego Zoo, are the second-largest bird species in the world. The animal control officers also had their work cut out for them — the zoo shared that emus can jump upward of 7 feet and run at 30 mph.
“We are grateful Buddy is back home with his family, and Mr. Leffler allowed us to share this delightful story with you,” the sheriff’s office wrote in an Instagram post.
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