An emu whose escape more than 60 days ago prompted lockdowns at two Delaware elementary schools has been captured.
Daniel Shortridge is a spokesman for the state Department of Agriculture. He is quoted by The News-Journal of Wilmington as saying that private parties and state officials netted the flightless bird Thursday afternoon at the Stonefield housing development near Odessa.
Dan Stonebraker is co-owner of 3 Palms Petting Zoo in Clayton. He says the bird has been put in a trailer and will be moved to a secure facility.
The runaway emu was spotted Monday near Spring Meadow Elementary School and Old State Elementary School, leading to a “soft lockdown” at both schools.
Over the past week, authorities have received a growing number of calls from people who had spotted the bird or come close to hitting it.
The Associated Press contributed to this article