An Emu from a Dekalb County animal sanctuary wondered from home after a large storm, but found its way back all on its own.
Hidden within the rolling hills of rural DeKalb County you expect to find farmland and livestock, but on Judy Redditt's property you'll find so much more.
She has lots of horses, dogs and cats, a few peacocks and other fowl but only one emu named Memu.
"When he got here he was as wild as a hen," she laughed.
Memu was handed over to Judy's animal sanctuary after his former owners left the state, that was nearly two decades ago.
"You get attached to these guys," said Judy. "t's been 17 years he's been here."
So when he disappeared on Sunday Judy panicked.
"I was just so worried because he's been taken care of for the last 22 or 23 yeas, so he must be somewhat older. He wouldn't survive on his own, he just couldn't," said Judy.
Strong storms toppled a massive tree into Memu's pin. The large bird used what God gave him and ran.
"He could've been anywhere. Who knows how far he got," volunteer Amanda Freehoff said.
Days went by and no sign of Memu until NewChannel 5's cameras were on the property Wednesday. Call it luck or a bit of bird bravado, but Memu made it back home.
It wasn't an easy task to get him in his pin but Judy and her volunteers can rest easy knowing the beloved bird back.
"It was such a relief that that yoke was off my back," Judy said.
Judy founded Action for Animals, Creature Comfort Farm in 1975. She said it was the only non kill shelter in the Southeast at the time. She relies heavily on volunteers and donations to keep the property running.
If you'd like to volunteer contact Amanda Freehoff at amandafreehoff@gmail.com. You can make a donation by visiting to the GoFundme page at; https://www.gofundme.com/2vnrkbpg.
