STRANGE SIGHT... Pine Point’s Jodie Ames and her family took this photo on a day trip to Innes National Park last Friday.
Jodie said they couldn’t believe their eyes when they came across nine emus walking, paddling and sitting in the water and on the beach at Pondalowie Bay.
According to Department of Environment and Natural Resources ecologist Dr Andy Sharp, emus are frequently seen in the waters around Innes. “Emus (like humans) often venture into water on hot days, simply to cool down,” he said. “A flock this size (nine emus) is not unusual in areas where predators, such as foxes, have been managed, which leads to increased survival of chicks.” Dr Sharp said.
Athough there is no data on how many emus are in the park, the number has been rising over the past five years due to successful fox control work conducted within Innes.
DENR recommends people observe emus from a distance.