In what can be described only as a uniquely Australian situation, a South Aussie family has welcomed two unexpected, but very large, new members into their home — a pair of suburban-raised emus named Kevin and Ernie.
Hand-raised from chicks, Kevin and Ernie are less “wild animals” and more oversized, feathered toddlers who genuinely believe they’re part of the family. With no survival instincts and an appetite for affection (and mischief), they’ve gone from backyard oddities to full-blown family members.
The story begins with Kevin, who was initially a solo emu. After realising he needed a companion, the family tracked down Ernie, who was also looking for a new home. When their previous owners could no longer care for them, the pair landed in paradise with 10 rocky, emu-ready acres and a household full of animal lovers.
“My sister, brother-in-law and my two nephews have opened their home — and their hearts — to a pair of suburban-raised emus named Kevin and Ernie,” shared Trent Smith.
“This duo is not your average wildlife. They’ve been hand-raised since they were chicks, have absolutely no survival instincts, and strongly believe they are part of the family.”
But paradise has come with its fair share of challenges, in particular, fencing. The property is basically made of solid rock, making it nearly impossible to install traditional fencing. Trent shares that digging post holes is like trying to tunnel through granite with a teaspoon. And trying to contain two 6-foot birds with the speed of a greyhound and the kick of a kangaroo on espresso is proving tricky.
The family is now on a mission to build Kevin and Ernie a proper sanctuary. That includes $350 per day for machinery to dig, hundreds of fence posts, concrete, chain-link, and even a pond. The total cost is estimated to be around $50,000.
To help cover the costs, they’ve launched a GoFundMe and a TikTok account, which has already drawn a small but loyal following. The videos are filled with wholesome, hilarious snippets of daily life with these feathered comedians — think David Attenborough nature doco, but with more chaos and the occasional car chase.
This really is a tale of love and laughter, and proof that in Australia, sometimes your family just happens to include two emus named Kevin and Ernie. So if you’re keen to follow along with Kevin and Ernie’s journey, and maybe even help out, follow them on TikTok @thesetwoemus and check out their GoFundMe, here.
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