Catch Me If You Can! Pet Emu on the Lam in Lakeville!
Loose emu on the lam in Lakeville. Talk about a free-range bird! According to the Dan Frates, Lakeville’s Animal Control Officer, the loose emu in Lakeville is a problem: “As…
Loose emu on the lam in Lakeville.
Talk about a free-range bird!
According to the Dan Frates, Lakeville's Animal Control Officer, the loose emu in Lakeville is a problem:
"As some Lakeville residents are aware there is a Emu on the loose in the Lang St- County Rd. area....Please leave any comments of any sightings in the comments below or leave a voice message at the shelter at 508-947-3891"
This Aussie Avian, mate, is one cool bird!
It's native to Australia, and it's a true Aussie icon. These guys are massive, like basketball players of the bird world. Standing tall, they can reach up to 6.6 feet (2 meters), making them the second-largest bird globally, just behind the ostrich.
Emus are known for their long legs! They can hit speeds of up to 30 miles per hour.
And those feathers aren't just for looks. They help the emu regulate its temperature in the scorching Aussie heat.
Emus don't fly, but they sure can strut their stuff!
They're excellent runners and can cover long distances in search of food. Speaking of food, they're omnivores, gobbling up plants and insects alike.
If you ever come across an emu, be prepared for some loud "drumming" sounds they make. They communicate using these strange, booming noises.
One more fun fact – emus are excellent parents.
Dads are the ones who incubate the eggs and take care of the chicks. Talk about a role reversal!
So, in a nutshell, these emus are like the rock stars of the bird world – tall, fast, and full of surprises.
But why keep them as pets?
Emus are highly distinctive birds with their long legs and large size, making them unique and intriguing pets for those who seek something different.
Emus are an iconic symbol of Australia, and people who have a connection to Australian culture or heritage may choose to keep them as a way to celebrate that connection.
On farms and ranches, emus can serve various practical purposes. They are raised for their meat, eggs, feathers, and oil. Some people keep them for these economic benefits.
Schools, zoos, and educational institutions sometimes keep emus as part of their educational programs to teach students about wildlife and animal behavior.
In any case, the person who owned the flightless bird ABANDONED THE THING, so the feathered friend has no friends - meaning no home to return to. And that makes it very hard to catch.
Black Bears In Massachusetts On The Rise
I have lived here mostly all of my life. Yet, my sightings of black bears in Massachusetts over the last five years have gone from ZERO to two. We have all seen those wild pictures on our social media. Bears in the garbage, bears in a backyard.
The most famous recent headline we all saw: Maine woman punches bear.
When she heard a noise in her backyard, she was horrified to see a bear chasing her dog! The brave doggy mommy reacted fast and got in the middle of her dog and the bear, and stopped the big boy by punching him. The brave woman was injured, but she is ok as is her dog. It's not often we see stories like that. But we are seeing more and more increases of black bear sightings in our state.
Can We Get Help?
The Mass.Gov website is a great resource of information on how the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife is dealing with this growing issue:
Though Massachusetts is the third most densely-populated state in the country, black bears have been increasing in numbers and distribution since the 1970s. The statewide population of bears is estimated to be over 4,500 animals and is growing and expanding eastward.
Actual Sightings
Living in Metro West, we have had two instances of seeing TWO baby bears, and a grown mother RIGHT walking through our yard and crossing the street. The babies made a crying noise, and the mother was not far behind them, making sure they crossed safely. It was the show of show for our cats. Another time, on a back road wooded area, we saw a similar site. There were two baby bears, and mom, making sure they crossed safely. We never felt any danger. It truly is sight to see.
Mass.gov on shares some very helpful tips on how to prepare our yards to avoid any contact with the bears and keep the peace!
So, let's take a wildlife walk on how to prepare and hopefully avoid the increasing sightings of black bears in Massachusetts!
Bear Map
Image from mass.gov
Where Are They?
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According to Mass.gov, the bears breed mostly in Metro West, and the Berkshires. Some are living along 495. But some young males wander east of 495.
Description
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According to Mass.Gov:
Black male bears range around 600 pounds! Ok, that's ALOT bigger than me! You don't want to come face to face with big Daddy!
Life History
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Mass.gov says these guys are like Jedi Knights, with extraordinary sight, and sense of smell. They are experts at locating food. The sense danger and can react fast. They are also excellent climbers. They den in mid November and December, exit in March. A litter of two or three cubs are born in January and remain with mom for 17 months!
Food, Habits
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My wife loves feeding the birds. We have a couple bird feeders in the backyard. I am not worried about a bear party, yet. We live not far from a busy road, so I don't believe that they will visit us. But will they as time moves on? Bears will eat vegetation and meat, if they find it.
Source: Mass.gov
Remove Bird Feeders
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If you must put out bird feeders, best time is when the bears den, in December to February. Remove them at the first sign of bears.
Secure Trash
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This is no brainer.
Put out trash in morning instead of overnight. Also, reduce odors by sprinkling ammonia. A trash barrel with a good tight lid will also help, maybe. It's a 600 pound bear.
What If I See A Bear In My Yard?
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Make lots of noise, from inside, is my advice. Bears usually don't like loud noises, and should leave. But if they keep coming back, it's for a reason. They have extraordinary memories when it comes to food. After they leave, check for unknown food source.
Did You See That? What If We See One Hiking?
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What if we see a bear hiking? That's why I don't hike. But I do love the woods. Bears are wary of people. Your normal walking or talking noise while hiking will actually alert them and they will leave before you even know they are there. If a bear spots you, they need to know that you are not an animal. So once they identify your scent, they will leave the area. Making soft sounds like talking will help them ID you, while you slowly back away. Sudden loud or abrupt movement is not a good idea. Don't intrude near their cubs. A close pic is not that important! Keep dogs leashed and distant.
