NSW coastal alliance formed to protect emu population 

The Coastal Emu Alliance has been formed to build a whole of community approach to rewilding the Coastal Emu. The alliance comprises government, landowners, environment groups and the broader community of the NSW North Coast – all committed to creating an effective and strategic land stewardship program for the recovery of the coastal emu and to sustain and protect one of the most ecologically significant coastal corridors in NSW.

The Coastal Emu Corridor on the NSW North Coast is located in a zone where northern and southern, temperate and subtropical ecosystems overlap – resulting in some of the greatest diversity of flora and fauna in Australia and supporting the highest number of threatened species in NSW.

This immensely important coastal corridor comprises large tracts of National Park and State Forest. However, just as important, are the private properties adjoining those areas. Tens of thousands of hectares of country is currently managed by landholders who are proving to be great stewards of the natural environment and important caretakers of the habitats within.

Although the emu is not listed as a threatened species, the last emu population in coastal New South Wales is listed as an endangered population.

Once abundant on the NSW North Coast, there now may be less than 100 birds remaining. The decline in the population is thought to be caused by rapid development, loss of habitat, and key pressures such as changes to fire regimes, vehicle collision, predation and wildfires.

Saving our Species has joined forces with the Coastal Emu Alliance to conserve this unique bird.

Surprisingly difficult to spot, a detection dog is being used to sniff out coastal emus as part of conservation efforts.