Residents rally to protect endangered coastal emu population in Grafton area of Northern Rivers NSW

There’s less than 50 coastal emus left – all living in a relatively small area of the Northern Rivers – so it’s no wonder locals are quite protective. Here’s how they’re looking after the Aussie icon.

Ryan Walsh took this photo of two endangered coastal emus near Grafton in the Northern Rivers.

There’s less than 50 coastal emus left on the planet – all living in a relatively small area of the Northern Rivers – so it’s no wonder locals are quite protective.

As young chicks start to emerge at this time of year, adding slightly to the endangered population, the community is on high alert – sharing updates and urging motorists to slow down.

Ryan Walsh has shared a dramatic image of three of the rare emus snapped on McIntyres Lan, at Gulmarrad near a highway overpass north of Grafton in the early evening. Mr Walsh warned motorists to keep a look out for the large birds on the move.

The emus cover large distances to forage and often cross roads in their travels, where they face a stark risk of being struck by cars and other vehicles.

“Yeah, the locals are very protective because we don’t want to lose our beautiful emus,” Mr Walsh said.

“There is one emu sign on the approach to the bridge – it’s dangerous, as coming from the opposite side you wouldn’t have seen them until you were on them.”

Clarence Valley Council urges landholders to install emu-friendly fencing that can help the last of the endangered animals survive and hopefully thrive.

Clarence Valley Council collaborates with the state government and several community groups including Coastal Emu Alliance on programs to try and save the coastal emu from extinction.

Work includes a citizen science tracking project and a campaign pushing for the use of more emu-friendly fencing.

Some have suggested fencing should be reconsidered at all and that reflective tape might be the smarter option to help the iconic Aussie animals navigate danger.

Coastal emus remaining in the Clarence region are generally found between Red Rock and Evans Head, with a key hotspot in the Brooms Head area.

The critically endangered coastal emu. Picture: Jimmy Malecki

A coastal emu with chicks. Picture: Caring for Our Coastal Emus / Clarence Conversations

As part of council efforts to warn motorists, signs have been placed across the region. There’s even two large solar powered flashing lights using radar to detect and warn approaching vehicles installed along a key seven kilometre stretch of Brooms Head Rd.

While residents do their best to safeguard the emus, chicks have been emerging after being ‘brooded’ (basically sat on gently to keep warm, as smaller birds do too) for eight weeks by the males, who will continue to raise the chicks.

Locals like Lou Law noticed the first chicks of the season emerging this week and shared rare photos of one male – “Kevin” – and his tiny brood to keep the community in the loop.

“The kids are excited to see Kevin with his babies – they are so tiny you have to zoom right in to see them,” Ms Law posted on social media.

While focusing on the young birds, male emus often lose weight and become more vulnerable. Females are larger than males, may mate with several males and they lay clutches of five to 15 eggs.

NSW Environment and Heritage has more information about the coastal emu and its conservation status online.

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