Police pursuit of emu just part of 'life of a country cop'

A video featuring a Central West NSW police officer chasing an emu off a local road has gained widespread attention. Police were dispatched to remove the bird, which had been causing traffic congestion on Cargo Road near Orange. The origin and destination of the emu remain unknown. The unusual police pursuit went viral after being shared online.

Local officers received multiple calls about a large, flightless bird running across Cargo Road in Nashdale, west of Orange, blocking traffic. Chief Inspector David Abercrombie explained that the young officer chose to chase the bird off the road, believing it to be the best solution. The incident was filmed and shared, garnering over 86,000 views.

Chief Inspector Abercrombie remarked, "I'm just lucky it wasn't me. If anyone asked me to chase an emu, it'd be more like watching a startled gazelle on Prozac. My speed wouldn't be up to scratch." Chief Inspector Abercrombie admitted to being uninformed about the incident until later that day, admitting to having his head buried in the sand.

No emus or people were harmed during the pursuit, and traffic resumed normalcy soon after. The young constable seemed delighted with the video's popularity. Nashdale resident Caro Webster noted that emus are not common visitors to the area or the nearby sub-alpine forest around Mount Canobolas. She had never seen or heard of an emu running down Cargo Road before.

John Grant from rescue group WIRES stated that WIRES had received two recent reports of emus on roads around Orange. They advise the public to maintain a safe distance from adult wildlife, which may act unpredictably if threatened. WIRES is grateful to the police for their assistance in these situations involving displaced wildlife posing a risk to motorists.

It is unclear if these are wild emus, as reports occasionally mention them being kept as pets before being released when they become challenging to manage. Grant warned that it is illegal to handle or keep native animals in Australia as they are protected by law. Chief Inspector Abercrombie noted that the local police station frequently receives calls from the public about animals on the road, typically involving livestock or kangaroos. He described the life of a country cop as filled with trials and tribulations.