Ruqayyah Snyder
Emus are primarily farmed in Australia for their meat, skin, and oil. They are also a national emblem, appearing on the country's coat of arms. Despite their symbolic significance, emus are slaughtered for profit and killed as pests. In 2019, permits were issued for the destruction or harm of 966 emus. While the exact number of emus killed each year is unclear, the practice is regulated by the government, which issues licenses for culling. The methods of slaughter must be humane and adhere to standards outlined in legislation. However, there is growing concern over the laws governing the killing of native fauna, with calls for tougher penalties for illegal practices.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Emus killed annually | The exact number is difficult to source due to the Australian Bureau of Statistics categorising emus as 'other' livestock. In 2002, 7,000 emus were killed in Western Australia. In 2019, 966 emu destruction permits were issued. |
| Legality | Emus are a protected species but can be killed on private property with an appropriate license. |
| Methods of slaughter | Acceptable methods include electrical stunning followed by bleeding out, neck dislocation, decapitation, and shooting with a firearm. |
| Farming | Emus are farmed for their meat, skin, and oil. The first emu farm began in Western Australia in 1970, and by 1994, all Australian states were permitted to commercially farm emus. |
| Treatment | Emus are treated as a commodity in Australia and slaughtered for profit. They are gentle birds that resist being taken to the slaughterhouse and endure stressful transportation conditions. |
| Migration | Emus typically migrate every seven years and may be prevented from doing so by fences. |
| Parenting | New emu parents help their chicks hatch and stay together as a family for up to a couple of years. |
| Behaviour | Emus are placid but will attack any predator that comes near their chicks. |
| Welfare | The 'Model code of practice for the welfare of animals: husbandry of captive-bred emus' is a voluntary code that does little to protect emus. The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 aims to protect animals and encourage considerate treatment. |
| Penalties | Tougher penalties are likely for the illegal killing of wildlife. Fines of hundreds of thousands of dollars could be imposed. |
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What You'll Learn
Emus are slaughtered for meat, skin, oil, feathers, and eggs
Emus are large, flightless birds native to Australia. They are known for their gentle nature and ability to detect water from hundreds of kilometres away. Unfortunately, emus also face various threats to their survival, including habitat destruction, vehicle collisions, and the predation of their eggs and young. While emus were once revered by Aboriginal Australians, who used their meat, fat, and eggs for sustenance and cultural practices, they are now primarily viewed as a commercial commodity.
Emus are slaughtered for various parts, including their meat, skin, oil, feathers, and eggs. In terms of meat, emu meat is considered similar in taste and texture to lean beef, making it a desirable option for health-conscious consumers. However, some sources describe the flavour as unappetising and tough. Emu meat is also expensive to process due to inspection and facility requirements. Nonetheless, emu meat is a significant source of income for farmers, and the birds are farmed in large numbers.
The oil derived from emu fat is highly prized and used in cosmetics, skincare products, and traditional Aboriginal medicine. Emu oil is also sold in capsules as an anti-inflammatory supplement. As for their skin, emu leather is another valuable product used in various industries. Emu feathers are also sought after, with certain Aboriginal groups using them for ceremonial sandals, and they are even used in some countries for live-plucking, although this practice is unacceptable in Australia.
Emu eggs are much larger than chicken eggs, weighing around 1.5 pounds each. While they can be challenging to cook due to their thick shells, they are still consumed and sold as a carved product. Overall, emus are slaughtered for a variety of products, and while some may find this practice acceptable, others criticise the treatment of emus and the suffering it causes.
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Emus are a national emblem, but are not protected
Emus are an integral part of Australia's national identity, featuring on the country's coat of arms. However, this iconic bird is not afforded the protection one might expect. Emus have been slaughtered in vast numbers and are treated as a commodity in Australia, with their meat, skin, and oil being highly sought-after. While there are some guidelines in place for the welfare of captive-bred emus, they are voluntary and do little to prevent the cruel treatment and killing of these birds.
In 2016, the New South Wales government abolished the requirement for a licence to kill native animals, including emus. This move was criticised as declaring "open season" on native wildlife, removing protections and oversight for the killing of these animals. The government defended its decision by labelling the licence requirement as "red tape". This change in legislation meant that property owners could kill native animals without scrutiny or consequence.
The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 aims to protect animals and encourage considerate treatment, but it has been criticised for heavily favouring the issuance of permits and licences for killing wildlife, with little transparency or accountability. Under this act, the government can authorise the destruction or harm of animals, and thousands of emus are included in these permits.
While emus are protected in some states, such as Western Australia, they can still be killed on private property with an appropriate licence. Emus are also snared by fences, such as the Dingo Fence in Western Australia, which prevents their migration and leads to their death. The exact number of emus killed each year is challenging to determine, as they are often categorised in broad classifications that make accurate data collection difficult.
The demand for emu products, especially oil capsules, is increasing, and emus are primarily farmed for commercial purposes. The first emu farm in Western Australia began in 1970, and by 1994, all Australian states permitted commercial emu farming. The methods of slaughtering emus must adhere to humane standards, but the birds often endure stressful transportation and cruel treatment before they reach the slaughterhouse. Overall, while emus are a national emblem in Australia, they are not adequately protected from exploitation and killing.
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Emus can be killed on private property with a license
Emus are native Australian birds that have been treated as a commodity in the country and slaughtered for their meat, skin, and oil. While they are protected under the law, emus can be killed on private property with an appropriate license.
In 2016, the NSW Opposition raised concerns about the government's plan to abolish the licensing system required to kill native animals like emus, wombats, kangaroos, and cockatoos. They argued that removing the licensing requirement would result in a lack of oversight and consequences for those killing native wildlife. Despite these concerns, the Baird government proceeded with the abolition, labeling the license as "red tape."
Prior to the abolition of the licensing system, property owners in NSW utilized the "s121 license" to kill 47,000 native animals and birds in a single year. Each license controlled the number of animals permitted to be killed and required data to be lodged with the Office of Environment and Heritage.
Despite the protection status of emus in Australia, they can still be legally killed on private property if the appropriate license is obtained. This was evident in 2002 when 7,000 emus were killed in Western Australia, even though they are a protected species. The exact number of emus killed annually in Australia is challenging to ascertain due to the Australian Bureau of Statistics' classification methods.
The process of slaughtering emus in licensed abattoirs must adhere to humane standards outlined in the "Australian Standard for Hygienic Production of Ratite (Emu/Ostrich) Meat for Human Consumption." Acceptable methods of humane killing include electrical stunning followed by bleeding out, neck dislocation, decapitation, or shooting with a firearm if the bird is mobile and cannot be restrained.
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Emus are gentle birds and resist being taken to slaughterhouses
Emus are gentle, friendly birds with a strong family life. The father plays an active role in nest-building and in the 8-week incubation and subsequent rearing of the chicks. Emus will also attack any predator that comes near their chicks. Despite this, emus are treated as a commodity in Australia and slaughtered for their meat, skin, feathers, and oil. Emus are farmed in Australia, North America, Peru, China, and India.
Emus are captured, bullied, and terrorized as they are herded onto trucks and taken to slaughterhouses. They are deprived of food and water for up to 24 hours during transportation, which creates incredible stress on the birds as they are crammed together, barely able to breathe. Upon arrival at the slaughterhouse, they are shot with a captive bolt or electrically stunned, then hung upside down before their throats are cut while they are still alive. These are considered the "approved" and "humane" methods in Australia.
The natural lifespan of emus is between 25 and 30 years, but on farms, they are slaughtered before reaching the age of two. Emus are also subjected to the painful process of feather plucking, which can be repeated when the feathers grow back. This procedure causes immense pain and suffering for the bird, and they are often blindfolded during this process to prevent them from fighting back.
In addition to commercial farming, emus in Australia have also faced threats from human activities such as bounty systems and the declaration of open season on their killing. For example, in 1934, the military was involved in killing emus as their migration was "threatening" food crops, resulting in 57,034 emu bounties collected. In 2016, the NSW Opposition warned that removing the licensing system for killing native animals would result in a loss of protection for emus and other native species.
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Emus are killed using inhumane methods
Emus are primarily farmed in Australia for their meat, skin, and oil. They are also killed because they are considered a threat to crops. Emus are gentle birds, but they are treated as a commodity in Australia and slaughtered wherever possible. While emus are placid, they will attack any predator that comes near their chicks.
The treatment of emus in Australia has been described as inhumane. During the Emu War, a military operation to address the issue of emus damaging crops, soldiers used machine guns to try to cull the birds. This operation was largely ineffective, with emus outrunning the trucks carrying the guns and the rough terrain making it difficult to aim. Emus also have tough hides, making it difficult to inflict severe injuries with bullets.
Even when killed on farms, emus endure significant suffering. They are captured, bullied, and terrorized as they are shoved onto trucks and deprived of food and water for up to 24 hours before being transported to the slaughterhouse. The transportation process is incredibly stressful for the birds as they are crammed together, barely able to breathe. Once at the slaughterhouse, they are shot with a captive bolt or electrically stunned, then hung upside down before their throats are cut while they are still alive.
The exact number of emus killed in Australia each year is difficult to determine as the Australian Bureau of Statistics categorizes emus under 'other' livestock farming. However, it is known that in 2002, 7,000 emus were killed in Western Australia, and emu farming has been commercially permitted in all Australian states since 1994.
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Frequently asked questions
No, it is not illegal to kill an emu in Australia. Emus are primarily farmed for their meat, skin, and oil. While they are a protected species, they can be killed on private property with an appropriate license.
There are a few acceptable methods of humane killing of emus in licensed abattoirs, including electrical stunning followed by bleeding out, neck dislocation, decapitation, and shooting with a firearm.
Emus are killed in Australia for a variety of health and production reasons. They are also sometimes killed to protect crops during their migration. The demand for emu products, such as meat, skin, and oil, has led to the commercial farming of emus in Australia.
