Confusion reigns over escaped emus on the loose in Doncaster

Wildlife lovers in Doncaster are trying to solve the mystery of Doncaster’s escaped emus – after fresh sightings this morning.
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Confusion reigns over whether the bird on the loose on the Sprotbrough area is the same one that escaped last week – or a totally different animal.

Earlier this week, it was reported that Ethel, a 6ft emu that fled its home in the village last Thursday, had been reunited with its owner.

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She spent six days on the run before reportedly being reunited with owner Kerry Dobson.

The latest photo of the escaped emu taken this morning. (Photo: Heather Mahallee)The latest photo of the escaped emu taken this morning. (Photo: Heather Mahallee)
The latest photo of the escaped emu taken this morning. (Photo: Heather Mahallee)

The bird spotted in and around the Cusworth and Sprotbrough area over the last few days and this morning has a similar distinctive light-coloured patch on its rear quarters.

There have been reports of a bird going missing from the Dunscroft area and even police and RSPCA officials have been left puzzled by how many birds are actually on the loose.

A South Yorkshire Police spokesman said: “We are unsure if it is the same one, or a second one. It is not a police incident so we have not deployed officers.”

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Heather Mahallee recorded the latest footage of the bird in the Sprotbrough area this morning and said that she understood specialist vets had been called in to tranquilise and capture the bird.

Laura Denis also filmed the bird casually strolling through fields to the rear of Clifton Drive in Sprotbrough around lunchtime yesterday.

Ethel sparked a huge hunt involving police and RSPCA officers and was eventually reunited with owner Kerry Dobson, according to a post on Facebook.

According to a post on Facebook, the latest sighting is a totally new bird.

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A post on the Sprotbrough Hub Community Group page said: “Just texted Kerry and it’s not hers as it’s at home. She said to put a bucket of water down for it.”

The emu is understood to have had stones thrown at it by youths and stunned walkers and cyclists on the Trans Pennine Trail near Cusworth.

The emu has attracted national press attention with reporters, photographers and camera crews descending on the area.

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