An emu was running loose through Paterson ... because 2020

PATERSON — An emu took a walk on the wild side through the city Tuesday morning, leaving local officials puzzled about where it came from.

The city's chief animal control officer, John DeCando, was perplexed when he received numerous phone calls from residents that some kind of large bird was running through the streets. One woman even said something "from outer space" was outside.

Another resident suggested something slightly more accurate and said an ostrich was exploring the streets. It was eventually identified as an emu, the second-largest bird on the planet and a relative of the ostrich. 

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“In 48 years I have never seen an emu,” said DeCando, who has seen his fair share of creatures over the years.

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Police, too, fielded numerous calls about the bird in the Hillcrest section of the city, Police Director Jerry Speziale said.

The bird was ultimately captured in Totowa, where Animal Control Officer Mike Rodriguez was staring right at the bird, not able to identify it at first.  

“I was trying to figure out what it was,” Rodriguez said. “I didn’t want to touch him because of his nails.”

Emus can grow up to 5 feet tall, weigh up to 100 pounds and run as fast as 30 mph, according to Encyclopedia Britannica.

Rodriguez captured the emu with a snare pole and a blanket, and it was taken to the city's animal shelter unharmed, DeCando said. The emu had a minor scratch on its neck, the source of which DeCando did not know, but it was moving around in its cage. 

The emu will be evaluated at Franklin Lakes Animal Hospital, DeCando said, and will then go to a sanctuary. 

"It will be able to roam and live out the rest of its life," he said.

Anthony Zurita is a breaking news reporter for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to all the major news happening in North Jersey, subscribe here. To get breaking news directly to your inbox, sign up for our newsletter.

Email: zuritaa@northjersey.com Twitter: @AnthonyRZurita