A rare Coastal Emu nest, containing nine eggs, has been discovered by Forestry Corporation staff in a State forest on the North Coast, giving hope to the future of the endangered population.

The discovery near Grafton was made by Forestry Corporation Lead Forestry Officer Kurt Holzhauser during a broad area habitat search for threatened and endangered species.

The NSW Government, under Saving Our Species, has invested years of conservation and habitat protection work on the North Coast to save the Coastal Emu, after the population was classified as endangered.

Forestry Corporation’s Senior Ecologist Chris Slade said the discovery of the nest was a significant ecological find and every effort will now be taken to ensure the nest contributes to recovery actions for the population.

“It is estimated that there may be fewer than 50 Coastal Emus left on the North Coast, so to discover a nest bearing eggs, is a significant moment for that endangered population,” Mr Slade said.

“It’s an amazing prospect as the timing of the discovery is perfect in the sense that every effort can now be taken to try and ensure those eggs hatch into emu chicks.”

Genetically isolated from their western emu relatives, Coastal Emus have faced high mortality rates due to predation and car strikes.

Loss of emus from the North Coast would have a serious impact on the environment, as the birds eat and spread fruits and seeds across a range of coastal habitats.  

The emu also has significant cultural value to Yaegl, Gumbaynggirr and Bundjalung peoples.

“The nest found by Kurt is within the distribution of the threatened emu population,” Mr Slade explained.

“Forestry Corporation is now working with Saving Our Species on the best way to ensure this nest contributes to broader recovery actions,” he said.

The Coastal Emu, (Dromaius novaehollandiae) was once widespread across north-eastern NSW, but is now only found within the Evans Head, Red Rock and Bungawalbin areas.

To find out more about the Coastal Emu Population, contact Lia Hooper via:  Keeping up with coastal emu conservation | NSW DCCEW.