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

A video of a Central West NSW police officer chasing an emu off a local road has gone viral.

Police had been called out to move the bird that had been causing traffic congestion on Cargo Road outside Orange. 

It is unclear where the emu came from and where it ended up.

A video of a Central West NSW police constable chasing an emu off a country road has gone viral after being shared online.

The unusual police pursuit began when local officers received a number of calls about a tall flightless bird running across Cargo Road in Nashdale, west of Orange, and blocking traffic.

Chief Inspector David Abercrombie from the Central West Police District said the "keen, young" officer took what he thought to be the best approach to resolve the situation by chasing the bird off the road.

The incident was filmed by NSW Police and shared online this week, racking up more than 86,000 views.

"I'm just lucky it wasn't me," Chief Inspector Abercrombie said.

"If anyone asked me to chase an emu, it'd be more like watching a startled gazelle on Prozac.

"My speed would not be up to scratch."

Not having heard of the incident until a bit later in the day, Chief Inspector Abercrombie said he had been "more like an ostrich with [his] head in the sand".

No emus or humans were harmed in the pursuit, and traffic returned to normal soon after.

"The young constable's doing very well and is very excited by the fact that it's gone viral," Chief Inspector Abercrombie said.

An uncommon situation

It remains unclear where the emu came from and where it ran to.

Nashdale local Caro Webster said emus were not typical visitors to the area or the neighbouring sub-alpine forest around Mount Canobolas. 

"I have never in my life seen or heard of an emu running down Cargo Road before," she said. 

"I've seen cows, sheep, kangaroos, wallabies, dogs, cats and echidnas braving Cargo Road, but never an emu escapee."

John Grant from rescue group WIRES told the ABC in a statement that it had received two reports on emus on the roads around Orange recently.

"In these situations we advise the public to keep their distance with all adult wildlife, which can behave unpredictably if they feel threatened," he said.

"We are very grateful for the assistance of the police in these situations where displaced wildlife pose a risk to motorists.

"It is not clear at this stage if these are wild emus, as we occasionally get reports of this species being kept as pets but then released when they become difficult to house and handle."

Mr Grant said it was a "timely reminder that handling or keeping a native animal is an offence as Australian wildlife species are protected by law".

Chief Inspector Abercrombie said the local police station often received calls from members of the public about animals on the road, but they were usually livestock or kangaroos. 

"It's the trials and tribulations of the life of a country cop,"

he said.

"If there's any people out there who are thinking about joining the police force and would like a career in the country, this is some of the stuff we have to deal with."