Mystery of the missing emu - Carlow pet farm launches appeal after bird 'stolen'

Have you seen this emu?

An appeal has been issued after an emu was discovered missing from a wildlife park in Co Carlow.

The emu - one of three at the Southern County Fishing Resort and Wildlife Park in Garryhill - was found to be absent from its enclosure on Sunday evening.

"I went down to check on them and there was only two in the field," spokesman Chris Kavanagh told breakingnews.ie.

"It's very unusual because the three of them are normally always together."

Mr Kavanagh said he believes the bird may have been stolen and has appealed for anyone who learns of an emu for sale to come forward.

"I don't think it's possible for the emu to have got out by itself," he said. "I checked all the fences thoroughly and there's no sign of that. I've also search all the fields around, but to no avail."

The bird, already standing at four feet tall despite being only five months old, are also unlikely to have been taken by a predator, Mr Kavanagh said.

"I don't think it could have been a fox. They're too fast, and too powerful for a fox to kill."

Naturally the proprietors are disappointed by the emu's disappearance.

"We are primarily a fishery but the birds are part of a range of other attractions we have here that appeal to families," Mr Kavanagh said.

"The emus are a big part of that - it's great to see them going around the lakes - and to have one go missing is terrible."

The incident has been reported to local gardaí.

Anyone with any information on the disappearance is asked to contact the Southern County Fishing Resort via their website or Facebook page