Runaway emu will be found new Hong Kong home if owner not identified, government says
- Agricultural, Fisheries and Conservation Department says emu is under observation at one of its animal management centres after being captured at the weekend
- Owner of private farm near where bird was spotted in Tin Shui Wai says none of its animals have gone missing
The Agricultural, Fisheries and Conservation Department revealed the plan on Monday evening after a farm near where the bird was spotted in Tin Shui Wai said none of its animals had gone missing.
The department also said the emu was under observation at one of its animal management centres.
“If eventually it is unclaimed the department will try to arrange for its transfer to an animal welfare organisation for adoption if the animal is in good health and fit for adoption as assessed by the department’s veterinary officers,” a spokesman said.
The emu – a large, flightless bird native to Australia – drew attention after being spotted running along roads and entering a housing estate on Saturday.
Police and Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals officers captured the bird about three hours after reports of the first sighting on Saturday morning.
Chan Ka-fai, owner of NT Green Garden farm near where the bird was spotted and who serves as a Yuen Long district councillor, told the Post on Sunday night that he was out of town but had been informed “nothing is missing” from his garden.
A source said Green Garden, also known as Hing Chun Farm, reported a lost emu in April but it was later found.
It is understood that a department inspection in April found the 60,000 sq ft farm was privately owned and not open to the public with an entry fee, exempting it from exhibition licensing requirements.
The department said no emu had been licensed to be kept under existing exhibition permits it had issued.
