In a scene more reminiscent of the Australian outback than a major metropolitan highway, morning commuters on Victoria's Princes Freeway faced an unexpected delay of the feathered variety on Tuesday.
The bustling highway came to an abrupt standstill during peak morning traffic when a solitary emu decided to take an ill-advised stroll across multiple lanes near Little River, approximately 40km southwest of Melbourne.
Police in Unusual Animal Control Operation
Victoria Police officers found themselves in an unusual role as animal handlers, attempting to safely corral the large flightless bird away from speeding vehicles. Dramatic footage captured the emu darting unpredictably between lanes while officers worked to manage both the animal and growing traffic congestion.
The bizarre incident created kilometres of backlog along the crucial transport corridor that connects Melbourne to Geelong, with frustrated motorists left watching the surreal spectacle unfold.
Commuters Stunned by Unusual Sight
Social media quickly erupted with images and videos of the unusual highway visitor, with many drivers expressing both frustration and amusement at the unexpected wildlife encounter.
"You see kangaroos occasionally near highways, but a full-grown emu causing this much disruption is something else entirely," one motorist commented online.
Emu Safety Concerns
Wildlife experts note that emus, while native to Australia, are uncommon in such urban fringe environments and can become disoriented when separated from their natural habitat. The birds are capable of running at speeds up to 50km/h, making them particularly dangerous near roadways.
Authorities eventually managed to safely guide the emu away from the highway, allowing traffic to gradually return to normal after the lengthy delay.
The incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges of wildlife interactions in expanding urban areas and the unexpected situations emergency services must routinely handle.
