SWANSEA, S.C. — A six-foot-tall pet named Big Bird, an emu, has run away from his home in Swansea again, and the owner needs help finding him.
In September, Barbara Kennedy, a new resident in the Swansea community, lost her 100-plus-pound pet bird. It's gone missing again after she accidentally left her gate open on a rainy night about two and a half weeks ago.
Kennedy said it's mating season right now, too.
"Because I couldn't find a female his age, he just got, OK, I want to go find an emu myself, a female, and that's when he disappeared and this time he's hoofing it. Last time I heard, he was five miles down the road," Kennedy said.
Poultry specialist Dr. Michelle Hall with the Clemson University Extension said females lay eggs, and the males sit on the eggs until they hatch. Then, the female takes over again.
Hall said these birds need proper space to roam and good fencing without spaces to ensure they don't escape.
"Fences that are at least 5.5 to 6 feet in height and they need to have a fence that has a mesh," Hall said.
Hall said that, to bring this pet back, "they like bright and shiny things, so if they can set corn or something on a piece of foil, that would be great."
Hall said emus are good at foraging in the woods, and their feathers can keep them warm in the cold, but shiny things and food will attract their eye.
"I do miss him, because every morning he greeted me at the door," Kennedy said.
Although Kennedy misses Big Bird, she said he might need a new permanent home.
"I thought he would go over toward the Safari because they do have emus over there, so, we did call him and let him know that if they see a male emu, open the gate, let him in and keep him," Kennedy said.
The bird was last seen at Fallaw Road and Highway 6.
Residents who see the bird in or around Swansea can contact Barbara on the "Happenings in Swansea Facebook page."