Horse riders have been urged to avoid trails at a renowned Sunshine Coast nature reserve during emu breeding season – amid a claim a woman and her mount were attacked by one of the birds.
The Department of Environment, Science, Tourism and Innovation (DETSI) has encouraged riders to steer clear of Parklands Conservation Park – which will host Olympic mountain biking in 2032 – between May and September.
The advice comes after local rider Tania Stickler told Sunshine Coast News she was thrown from her startled horse following a “severe attack” by an emu she described as charging at full speed.
She has started a petition requesting its removal, which had more than 50 signatures as of yesterday.
A DETSI spokesperson said: “We ask visitors to avoid riding horses in Parklands Conservation Park during emu breeding season, between May and September, when we instead recommend riding in other locations, such as Eumundi Conservation Park.
“Warnings about emus reacting to horses are clearly signposted at the entrances of the park.”
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The department confirmed it received a recent report about an interaction between an emu and a rider.
Ms Stickler said she had reported the emu’s behaviour to authorities on four occasions and believed more action should be taken.
She said in the latest incident, an emu charged at her and her horse Lucy.
“Lucy did a few spins and I came off,” she said. “Then it charged me on the ground … Lucy took off.”
Ms Stickler shared a graphic photo with SCN of what she described as extensive bruising from the encounter. She said two witnesses saw the incident and that a woman from a nearby property came to her aid. SCN has reached out to two of them for comment, with one declining.
She has previously provided photos showing her husband Lee with cuts and abrasions to his face and arm after what she described as another confrontation with the bird last year.
Ms Stickler believed the emu could be the only in the park and it should be relocated.
“It should be with other emus at Australia Zoo, Woodfordia or released into the wild with other emus – Boondooma Dam has a colony, as does Tin Can Bay,” she said.
She said it could be one of two emus believed to have come to the park from a private property and the other had died.
She said horse riders should be able to use the trails without fearing an encounter.
“I moved here because I love Parklands Conservation Park,” she said.
“It’s great to be able to ride in a relaxed environment – for fitness and to enjoy nature and the wildlife.”
She told SCN previously that people participating in Nambour parkrun had been feeding the emu and had “created a monster”.
“It depends on people now, rather than being with its own kind,” she said.
“My concern is that it will take something bad to happen before the emu is moved to a safer place with other emus. I hope, before something serious happens, it finds a home and happiness with its own kind.”
She has started a change.org petition titled to “Remove aggressive handraised emu from Parklands Conservation Park” and is planning to submit a petition to Sunshine Coast Council requesting action.
SCN has reached out to Wildlife Rescue Sunshine Coast founder Claire Smith for comment. She previously told SCN the bird – affectionately known as Fluffy – is a well-loved local character.
“He has been running with the Nambour parkrun group for a long time,” she said.
“Everybody in Nambour knows Fluffy, and people from around the country come to Nambour just to run with him.”
A Nambour parkrun organiser said most participants enjoyed the presence of the bird.
“The majority of runners are thrilled to see the emu,” they said.
“Safety advice is offered up in the form of signage from QPWS (Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service) for all types of park users.”
A DETSI spokesperson has said that many park users had positive experiences with the emus.
“Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service has received multiple reports of user groups having positive interactions with emus,” they said.
“There is support from park users, neighbours and wildlife groups for the species to stay in the park.
“Local rangers continue to monitor the health and behaviour of the emus.”
The DES told SCN in 2023 that there were no plans to relocate Fluffy because “this has potential to stress the animal”.
