Hong Kong animal shelter gives runaway emu Miu Miu a forever home

Difficulty: Summiteer (Level 3)

A Hong Kong animal shelter that adopted a runaway emu plans to allow the public to view the animal in the future and hopes to become the flightless bird’s forever home.

House of Joy and Mercy director Ivy Tse Yuen-yee has described the male emu, now named Miu Miu, as a “pampered little princess” who is picky with his food and throws temper tantrums by refusing to move.

“We need to see Miu Miu’s condition, but if he is suited for it, we would open up to the public and let them see him,” she said. “We would want to keep him and take care of him until the end of his life.”

Tse said the shelter did not have any specific plans about how it would allow the public to view the animal, citing the need to consider factors such as the size of the crowds and staffing arrangements.

Miu Miu was captured by authorities in May last year after the bird was spotted attempting to race motorists and strolling through a public housing estate in Tin Shui Wai.

The bird was placed in the care of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, which kept Miu Miu in one of its animal management centres.

Quiz time

1. What is the name of the emu adopted by the Hong Kong animal shelter?

2. How does Ivy Tse Yuen-yee describe the emu’s personality?

3. What is the shelter’s goal for the emu?

4. Why is there a delay in allowing the public to view the emu?

Miu Miu has been described as “picky and temperamental”. Photo: Sam Tsang

Suggested answers

1. Miu Miu

2. Miu Miu is a “pampered little princess” who is picky and throws temper tantrums

3. to make the shelter Miu Miu’s forever home

4. the shelter needs to consider factors such as crowd size and staffing arrangements