La Trobe University releases three Emus into Bundoora campus nature reserve

ABC NEWS (Australia)

La Trobe University introduced some new residents to its Bundoora campus today- but they may not be what you expect. Three male Emus have been released into the university’s nature reserve and are already making it to the top of the pecking order.

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00:00Whether it's posing for a selfie or getting a close-up, these three 18-month-old emus

00:10are rising stars.

00:12But they aren't just photogenic, they're environmentally essential.

00:16I'm really excited for them to make themselves at home, familiarise themselves.

00:20The flightless birds have just been released into La Trobe University's Nanyak Tamburri

00:25Wildlife Centre in Melbourne's north, making them the only emus at an Australian city university

00:31campus.

00:34A traditional smoking ceremony welcomed the native animals.

00:37We're really pleased and happy that they're here with us and will be properly cared for.

00:43The three males are the park's latest attraction, after their much-loved predecessors passed

00:47away several years ago.

00:49To replace them I think is really beautiful because they belong to this environment.

00:55Emus help regenerate the land by transporting seeds and spreading plant life across large

01:00distances.

01:01So emus are really important, particularly to Victoria, because they can consume large

01:05amounts of plant.

01:06They're really good for weed management.

01:08The three emus are now free to roam the 90 acres this sanctuary has to offer.

01:13It'll be open to the public and just 20 kilometres from Melbourne's CBD.

01:17It's expected that these fine-feathered creatures will live until they're 25 years old.

01:22This one likes me a lot.

01:25They'll be keeping their eye on students for many years to come.

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