EASTERN COASTAL EMU SURVEY

By Sharon McGrigor

In October 2009, volunteers assisted NPWS in the 7th annual Emu count. Each year they monitor the size & range of the population and record areas used for seasonal foraging.

The Eastern Coastal Emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae) is listed as an endangered population and is isolated from its inland relatives.
The north coast population is at risk of extinction because of its small numbers & the dramatic reduction of 85% of its habitat over the past 20yrs. Survey counts from 2006 indicate that their may be less than 80-120 birds left.
The Emu population is significant as it is the last remaining population on the north coast of NSW and for the role it plays in dispersal of native seed species.

Over 55 Emus have been killed by motor vehicles since 2000, and this is seen as a major threat for survival. Other threats include the predation of chicks and eggs by foxes, feral & domestic dogs and feral pigs, bush fire, poisoning & shooting and land clearing for agriculture and urban development.
Currently Clarence WIRES has 2 chicks in care which will be released when they are around 7months old.

The Emu population seems to live in 3 main 'camps', with the main camp in Bungawalbin having about 30 birds. Last year the Bundjalung NP camp recorded less than 10 birds while the camp on the south of the Clarence located less than 5 Emus.
The Emus seem to range over about 6-10 km/day and stay within their camps home range.
 The Emus known range extends from Yuraygir NP & Bundjalung NP , in the north & includes the areas of Tucabia, Red Rock, Halfway Ck, Brooms Head, Minnie Waters, Sandos, Woolie, Iluka , to the south & Bungawalbin in the west.

Gina Hart, (NPWS contact & WIRES member) has been coordinating this years NPWS Emu count. 35 NPWS staff & volunteers have had the enormous task of searching a large area for this years count. 'More volunteers are desperately needed', Gina said.
 Stats are eagerly awaited, especially after the devastating bush fires which occurred in October around the Brooms Head region. These fires wiped out over 13,000 ha of the Emus known range. It is too early to know what has happened to the Emu population of this area.

Gina believes numbers are significantly down on last years count and no nests have been located, as yet. For this reason NPWS are interested in hearing of any Emu sightings, nesting Emus or Emus with chicks. They are keen to hear from the public and local farmers and can be contacted on 66411500. You can also register as a volunteer for next years Emu count, on this number.

This is your chance at helping to try to bring a population back from the brink of extinction.

RETURN TO TOP