Rodney Stevens

Hot off the press, the Lions Club of Clarence Environmental have been informed that the first Coastal Emu chicks born this year have been sighted – Yippee!

Lions Club of Clarence Environmental President Barbara Linley encouraged everyone throughout the Clarence Valley to make sure as a community we look after the three precious, endangered Coastal Emu chicks.

“One of our members rang on Friday morning and said they had a photo of the first chicks of the season,” she said.

“The three chicks were sighted on a local road and their father was feeding nearby.”

The Coastal Emu population, which stretches from Corindi to Evans Head along the coast and inland to Bungawalbin wetlands, continues to face threats from development, vehicle strikes, fencing, loss of habitat, feral animals, weeds, and fire.

Mrs Linley said as the male emu had been sitting on the eggs for the past six weeks, he is likely to be starving and will roam the area in search of food, sometimes not paying complete attention to his babies as he feeds.

“We need to ensure that they feed, so he can look after the chicks,” she said.

“The emus roam from Pillar Valley to James Creek so please be aware and slow down, especially on the back roads.”

With about 40 Coastal Emus known to exist locally, it is vital that the community be aware that they are around, Mrs Linley said, and remain vigilant when driving around coastal areas of the valley.

Mrs Linley said Save Our Species are doing an emu count on October 13 and 14 in conjunction with the Lions Club of Clarence Environmental and the community.

The Clarence Valley Independent will keep readers informed about the emu chicks and the emu count.