Injuries by emus

May/June 2019 Print Issue: Animalia

“…The cumulative effect of this display was to sharpen our appreciation of emu sizefemales are larger than males, weighing up to 130 pounds, and the business end of their beak stands at human eye level. Emus are also equipped with powerful feet and pointed toenails, which they can use to telling effect on people (as emergency room physicians can attest, Jones 1996). So, we were more than a little relieved when she ended her hour-long visit and moved off, apparently satisfied with the encounter.…”