An emu that had been rejected by her parents after hatching found a new, smaller guardian in an incredible story of animal friendship – Nugget the chicken.
Shrub the emu was abandoned by her birth parents, Forest and Mathilda, and was helplessly left to fend for herself.
The keepers in Birdworld found Shrub covered in mud and flies, being attacked by a crow.
The emu, now aged four, sought guidance from a chicken named Nugget, a small Bantam hen who took on the role of foster mother. She taught Shrub how to eat and walk.
However, a few weeks after being nurtured, the emu had rapidly outgrown Nugget. The keepers at the bird park then took over Shrub’s development by playing various games and activities to further develop her coordination skills and build muscle.
Hoping to reunite the rejected emu with her parents, the staff at Birdworld planned a safe interaction for the estranged family. Emus are known for being reactive and defensive, therefore the reunion could have been deadly for baby Shrub.
To tackle this obstacle, keepers walked Shrub to the outside of her mother and father’s enclosure, allowing for the chick to reacquaint with her parents from behind the safety fence.
Polly Bramham, living collections manager, said: “Having initially been raised in a dimly lit barn before coming to Birdworld, Shrub’s father, Forest, had developed limited eyesight and a unique way of walking, learning to navigate by leading with the back of his head instead of his feet.
“Unlike most birds, emu males incubate eggs, and they are typically winter breeders. However, Shrub’s mother, Mathilda, laid eggs in the summer, and Forest didn’t seem to be incubating them.
‘‘We didn’t expect the eggs to hatch and were surprised when they found Shrub cold, muddy, and neglected in the nest. She was rushed to an ICU, warmed up, and fortunately turned out to be a resilient survivor, much like her father.”
Polly explained how Shrub needed training on how to become an emu: “The job fell to Nugget, a small Bantam hen who lived at Birdworld.
“Nugget took Shrub under her wing, teaching her essential life skills such as eating and walking. She was the best foster Shrub could hope for – busy, bossy, and showing her lots of fuss and care. Shrub quickly learnt how to pick up food, drink, and coordinate her gangly legs. The keepers loved watching the two of them together.
“It was particularly important to do this while Shrub was still a juvenile, so that Forest and Mathilda would not see her as a threat.
‘‘We found Shrub to be a very happy-go-lucky emu, frequently misjudging social etiquette and getting disciplined as a result.
‘‘Emus are extremely large and potentially dangerous birds with strong kicking legs, meaning that Shrub would continue to be separated from the adults at night for the next couple of months as she learnt the rules of emu life.”
She added: “Seeing Shrub with her parents as they race around their paddock, you would never guess their difficult beginnings. Shrub is an amazing lady, and the keepers are so proud that she has no confusion about who she is. She is 100 per cent emu, but with all the time in the world for her keepers.”
