SAVE OUR EMUS DISTRIBUTION

EMUS AT RISK
WARDELL

CORAKI
BROADWATER
Broadwater NP
WOODBURN
Bungawalbin NP
EVANS HEAD

Bungawalbin NR

Bundjalung NP
WHIPORIE

CHATSWORTH
ILUKA
YAMBA
MACLEAN
what we are doing
• Road signage to alert motorists to the presence of emus
and chicks.
• Emu awareness programs in local schools.
• Annual community emu census on the NSW North Coast. ULMARRA
• Research into diet, range, genetics and threats to nesting birds. TUCABIA Yuraygir NP
• Vertebrate pest control targeting foxes, dogs and pigs. GRAFTON

what you can do PILLAR VALLEY

MINNIE WATER
Three simple ways to help save our coastal emus:
• Slow down on coastal roads and look out for emus (emus have
very little road sense)
WOOLI
• Report emu sightings to National Parks & WIldlife Service
(NPWS) – particularly interested in sightings outside their core
range as illustrated on the map. NPWS would like to know date,
number of birds (adults or chicks), distance to nearest cross
road, and your contact details if more information is needed. RED ROCK

• Keep your dog under control at all times

Estimated Emu Distribution
Report emu sightings to NPWS
NPWS Estate
Alstonville office (02) 6627 0200 WOOLGOOLGA
Email: northernrivers.region@environment.nsw.gov.au
Grafton office (02) 6641 1500 0 5 10 20 30
Email: northcoast.region@environment.nsw.gov.au
Kilometres

Photo: DECCW Printed on 100% recycled paper Photos: Patrick Ahles, Shane Ruming, David Merrylees, Helen Worthing
EMUS AT RISK
Emus on the New South Wales north coast belong to an isolated
population, thought to number less than 120 individuals,
based on community surveys conducted between 2000-2010.
This population of coastal emus is listed as Endangered and
protected under the NSW Threatened Species Conservation
Act 1995.
Coastal emus now occur only between Evans Head (south of
Ballina) and Red Rock (north of Coffs Harbour), providing the
last remaining coastal habitat for this iconic Australian bird.
Emus utilise a variety of vegetation types, ranging from
coastal heath and woodlands to plantation and cultivated
farmlands. The emu is semi-nomadic, moving through the
landscape to feed on a variety of seasonal nutrient-rich seeds,
grasses and fruits.
Photos: Paul Locke, John Turbill, DECCW
EMU BIOLOGY EMU THREATS
• Emus pair up in February (females sometimes breed with more The greatest known threat to the coastal emu is collisions with
than one male), and remain together for five months marking vehicles, with over 60 road deaths recorded in the last 10 years.
out territory. Other threats include:
• Females lay a clutch of eggs (up to 20 eggs) between April-June, • Risk of local extinction due to small population size and
then wander off to join non-breeding birds. isolation.
• Adult males incubate the eggs continuously for eight weeks, • Clearing and fragmentation of areas of habitat for agriculture
losing 15-30% of his body weight in the process. and urban development.
• Nesting emus are extremely vulnerable to fires, predation and • Burning of suitable habitat at too-frequent intervals.
disturbance.
• Disturbance of nesting birds and predation of eggs and young
• Chicks emerge in August/September and are about 15cm by foxes, dogs and feral pigs.
high with stripey plumage – they are called ‘stripeys’.
• Deliberate killing through poisoning or shooting.
• The adult male is very protective of his young brood and
should not be approached.
• Chicks can forage from two to seven days old, eating berries,
seeds, flowers and young shoots of native plants.
• Juveniles lose stripes at four months old and develop black
plumage around head and neck. They are called ‘blackheads’.
• Emus do not breed until more than two years old.
• Males may only breed every second year as the young from the
previous clutch stay with the father until 18 months of age.
Photo: Shane Ruming Photos: Alan Wolf, Florence Kern, J Wardell, Mackenzie & John Solaro