Forestry officials in Poland said an emu was spooked by fireworks and fled more than a mile into a forest before being rescued the next day.
The Garwolin Forest District said on social media that a hiker on a nature trail in Huta Garwolińska captured video of an ostrich-like bird wandering in the woods, but the spooked animal refused to be approached and fled.
A search was launched the following day, and officials learned the male emu, named Fabiś, had fled from his owner’s property more than a mile away on Sunday after being frightened by fireworks.
“Panic drove him over 3 kilometers [1.86 miles] into the forest, into a completely unfamiliar and dangerous environment,” the post said. “After a night spent in the freezing cold, tired and hungry, Fabiś allowed himself to be approached.”
Officials wrote the bird was “calm and trusting” and was safely returned to his owner.
