DANVILLE — There is one solo, unbothered emu hanging out at the Turtle Run Golf Club.
The address of the golf course is 332 E. Liberty Lane in Danville, which seems quite appropriate considering the use of an emu in Liberty Mutual television commercials.
Mason Brines, a pro shop employee at Turtle Run, says the lone emu pretty much stays to itself.
“Basically, it’s all over the course,” Brines said. “It kind of just wanders around, mainly in the morning.
“It like has a really weird run. Yeah, I mean, it’s pretty fast… As fast as a cart, to be honest.”
TJ Hicks spotted the flightless bird roaming while he was golfing earlier in July at Turtle Run.
“We saw it and went closer; it didn’t seem to be bothered by us getting closer,” Hicks said.
“It gets really close to the golfers,” Brines added.
Ashlee, who declines to provide her last name is the owner of the emu and she is grateful for all of the updates and the community support.
“I enjoy the pictures people send me and appreciate updates and their willingness to not scare him/her and just enjoy the uniqueness of an emu,” Ashlee said. “We obviously would like the emu to be back with the mob, but for now, especially with projected temperatures, the safest option is to just ‘let it be’ and develop a plan to safely capture it and also not damage the beautiful golf course in the process.”
And while the bird has been on the run for a few months at this point, Ashlee says the elusive emu is not going to hurt anyone unless provoked.
“Emus are not a threat to people or other animals if not chased,” she said. “However, if we were to try and chase it right now, it would likely run the risk of the emu overheating or, even worse, running into the nearby street. For now, I hope the golfers and the community get to see the emu from a distance and enjoy a one-of-a-kind animal that has become Danville’s unwritten mascot.”
Several emus escaped during a flood in the Danville region back in June. All but this one have been captured through community help.
The owners ask if you spot the lone remaining emu near Liberty Lane, feel free to post a photo on the Danville Scanner UnRated page.