Emu on the lam startles New Jersey residents. ‘Like something from outer space’

An emu on the loose Tuesday had startled residents reaching for their phones in one New Jersey community.

“It was running down the street and people didn’t know what the hell it was.” said John DeCando, chief animal control officer, reported NJ.com. “They kept calling us.”

Paterson residents spotted the runaway bird about 9 a.m., WABC reported.

Animal control officers eventually captured the emu in neighboring Totowah, NorthJersey.com reported.

“I was trying to figure out what it was,” said animal control officer Mike Rodriguez, according to the publication. “I didn’t want to touch him because of his nails.”

Emus, flightless birds from Australia, can reach up to 5 feet in height, can sprint at speeds of up to 30 mph, according to the San Diego Zoo. They can jump up to 7 feet and strike foes with their talons.

“I’ve seen just about everything, but an emu like this, the lady said it was like something from outer space,” DeCando said, WABC reported. “Thank God nobody got hurt.”

Animal control officials are looking for the owner of the runaway emu, which appears to be in good condition at an animal shelter, according to NJ.com.

“The emu appears healthy,” DeCando said, the publication reported. “I can’t tell you (its age) or sex. But I can tell you it needs a bath.”

This story was originally published August 12, 2020 at 10:10 AM with the headline "Emu on the lam startles New Jersey residents. ‘Like something from outer space’."