Desperate search to find missing Emu which disappeared from animal sanctuary after it was ‘swept away’ during flood

A desperate search has been launched to find a missing Emu who may have been swept down a river from an animal sanctuary during a flood.

Malmesbury Animal Sanctuary, in Wiltshire, said their ‘beautiful’ Emu Irwin had vanished overnight.

The field which he called home had been flooded at the bottom after a spout of intense rainfall.

Those who run the sanctuary believe Irwin may have been caught up in the River Avon while running around at night and swept downstream.

A desperate search has been launched to find Irwin the missing Emu who may have been swept down a river from an animal sanctuary during a flood

Malmesbury Animal Sanctuary, in Wiltshire, said their ‘beautiful’ Emu Irwin had vanished

Those that run the sanctuary believe Irwin may have been caught up in the River Avon while running around at night and swept downstream

But there’s hope that Irwin survived the experience as Emus are ‘strong and natural swimmers’.

Locals have been asked to keep an eye out for the animal which may be having a rest in their garden to recover from his ordeal.

Posting on Facebook, the sanctuary said: ‘This morning we have discovered that our beautiful emu Irwin is nowhere to be seen. 

‘We are concerned for his safety fearing he may have slipped into the river and swept downstream due to the field being partially flooded at the bottom. 

‘However emus are strong and natural swimmers so it’s more likely that he exited on the opposite side of the river and is now resting in someone’s garden along the stretch between Dark Road and Daniel’s Well.

There’s hope that Irwin survived the experience as Emus are ‘strong and natural swimmers’

Locals have been asked to keep an eye out for the animal which may be having a rest in their garden to recover from his ordeal

‘Irwin has lived in the field for over five years and has never left it before in all weathers so this behaviour is unusual and therefore likely to be an accident.

‘Can we please ask everyone in that area to search their gardens. Keep a look out and to let us know if you have seen any suspicious behaviour around the sanctuary.’

Gary Nageb, who works at the sanctuary, told BBC Radio Wiltshire that it’s a ‘real mystery’ which has left them all ‘very very concerned’.   

He said: ‘We tracked downstream with a drone as far as we can and we haven’t found any sign of him.

‘They’re our babies and we’ve had them for years.’

Mr Nageb said that they are trying to communicate with Irwin by thumping a wooden barrel near the river. He said this produces a sound similar to an emu call.