The unexpected escapades of emus, named Thelma and Louise, have captured attention across South Carolina, particularly as they roam the town of Loris. These large, flightless birds aren’t just causing amusement among locals; their adventures coincide with the search for a group of monkeys who made headlines after their escape from a local research facility.
Reports indicate Thelma and Louise have been loose for about three months, hopping over fences and evading capture. The Horry County Police Department kept the public informed about the situation with humor. Their Facebook post jokingly said, "We are not emu-sed!" They confidently assured residents there was no threat posed by the wandering birds, citing their non-aggressive nature.
Sam Morace, the owner of the emus, shared her story about their great escape. "They decided they wanted to hop the fence when we were trying to grab one of them to move her to another paddock and well she didn't like it," said Morace. Her attempts to recapture them have been met with challenges as they’ve made themselves comfortable living on the wild side.
Morace noted her emus are feral, meaning they haven't been trained for domesticated life and can be quite elusive. Many community members have pitched ideas to help locate them, including using herding dogs, but Morace advised against this due to past encounters where one of her emus fought off wild dogs.
Sightings of Thelma and Louise have provoked responses from locals, with some sharing tales of glimpsing the birds near well-known landmarks like the fire station. One local recounted, "I turned around to take a picture, and it was gone already!"
This unusual wildlife situation is made even more curious as it follows the daring escape of 43 monkeys from the Alpha Genesis research facility located about 200 miles away. Initially, 43 Rhesus macaque monkeys bolted from the facility after the caretaker failed to secure their enclosure. Since then, around 32 have been recaptured, but reports say up to 11 monkeys remain at large. Local law enforcement urged residents not to approach any of the monkeys, which could reach up to 7 pounds and were still too young to be disease carriers.
With persistent rain complicate searches, community vigilance remains high. There have been warnings for residents to keep windows and doors locked as the search for these runaway primates continues.
Despite the comical nature of the circumstances, Morace’s concern for her emus shines through her social media posts. She expressed gratitude for the community’s support and patience through this wild experience. "If the emus were easy to catch, they would have been home already!" she wrote, reinforcing their feral nature.
Authorities are currently considering using tranquilizers to assist with capturing Thelma and Louise. Morace’s heartfelt plea on local social media platforms has created considerable interest and involvement from community members, showcasing the blend of concern and curiosity about their feathered escapees.
Emus are intriguing creatures; these large birds can stand over five feet tall and weigh as much as 130 pounds. While native to Australia, their presence on South Carolina soil has not gone unnoticed and serves as yet another reminder of the wild side of nature and the unpredictable nature of animal behavior.
With authorities tackling two unusual animal escape stories simultaneously, residents of South Carolina have found themselves at the forefront of quite the wildlife drama. For now, the priority remains the safe return of Thelma, Louise, and the remaining monkeys back to their respective homes.
During these escapades, the community continues to share updates and sightings, keeping the atmosphere light-hearted and engaged. The local police report they remain steadfast in their cooperation with Morace and are hopeful these adventurous emus will soon be returned home.
Who knew emus would become local celebrities as their tales of escapades captured the hearts of many? For now, the town of Loris watches on with bated breath, waiting for the next twist in the tale of their runaway emus and the concurrent search for the elusive monkeys.
