The Emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae) is the second largest living bird species by height, a flightless ratite native exclusively to Australia. These birds are well-adapted to the diverse, often arid and semi-arid landscapes of the Australian continent. Emus are not established as a wild, self-sustaining feral population in New Zealand. Any presence has been limited to isolated individuals or small, localized groups originating from human activity, due to strict regulatory control and environmental factors.
Current Status of Feral Emu Populations
Occasional, isolated sightings of Emus in New Zealand have been reported, despite the bird’s absence from the official list of established feral species. These individuals are almost always escapees from private collections or defunct commercial farms. There is no sustained evidence of wide-scale, self-reproducing populations capable of spreading across the major islands.
The distinction between an escapee and an established feral population is significant in a biosecurity context. While isolated groups may persist in localized areas, they do not constitute a population that has reached ecological stability and reproductive success across a broader geographic range. Any reported sightings of these exotic birds are quickly addressed by regional authorities or the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI). This immediate management response prevents the establishment of a breeding population that could threaten the country’s native ecosystems.
History of Emu Farming in New Zealand
Emus are found outside controlled environments primarily due to a commercial farming boom that occurred in the late 1980s and 1990s. Farmers imported Emus as exotic alternative livestock to capitalize on international markets. The commercial appeal lay in products like low-fat meat, durable leather, and oil rendered from the bird’s fat, marketed for cosmetic and medicinal properties.
By the mid-1990s, thousands of Emus were farmed in New Zealand. However, the market for exotic ratite products proved volatile and collapsed due to oversupply and difficulties establishing a viable processing infrastructure. This collapse led to the financial failure of many farms, resulting in the dispersal or accidental release of birds. These events created the potential for escapees, necessitating a strict management approach.
Biosecurity and Ecological Barriers to Establishment
The lack of a widespread feral Emu population is largely attributable to New Zealand’s stringent biosecurity framework and distinct ecological profile. The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) enforces the Biosecurity Act 1993, classifying Emus as an exotic species. Any Emu found in the wild is considered an “unwanted organism” and is subject to active management and control measures, preventing them from establishing a permanent foothold.
Beyond regulatory intervention, the New Zealand environment presents significant ecological barriers. Emus thrive in the extensive, dry sclerophyll forests and semi-arid shrublands of Australia, which are fundamentally different from New Zealand’s wetter, more temperate climate and dense native bush. The reproductive success of any localized feral group is also challenged by introduced mammalian predators, such as feral cats and stoats. These predators target eggs and vulnerable chicks, limiting the long-term survival and expansion of a newly introduced ground-nesting bird population.