Enzo, a female emu, made a brief escape from an animal rescue sanctuary in eastern Ontario and has garnered local fame. The incident took place in Almonte, Ontario, about 50 kilometers southwest of Ottawa, where Enzo resides at Gagné Homestead and Rescue on the outskirts of the town.
Described as moving with the elegance of a prehistoric model and the speed of chaos, Enzo ventured out on her own adventure, exploring the town like a tourist. Although Enzo’s emu companion, Blue, also attempted to flee their enclosure, Blue did not get far from the property.
Emus, the largest birds native to Australia, can reach speeds of up to 50 km/h, according to the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. Siobhan O’Keefe, a nearby resident, captured and shared a photo of Enzo near a residential area close to the farm.
The sanctuary’s owner, Jeff Gagné, expressed regret for any concern caused by the unexpected escape and thanked those involved in safely bringing Enzo back home. Gagné mentioned on social media that they are investigating how the escape occurred.
Coinciding with Groundhog Day, the homestead humorously suggested a new twist to the tradition: if Enzo the Emu sees her shadow on Groundhog Day, winter will linger longer. Following media coverage, Gagné and Enzo visited Ottawa for an interview with CBC’s All In A Day.
During the interview, host Alan Neal marveled at the unusual guests, Enzo and Blue, as they nibbled on grapes. The episode, detailing the escapade and its aftermath, aired on 91.5 FM and the CBC Listen app.
