A remarkable new short film about one of the Clarence Valley’s most iconic and endangered, second largest living bird in the world, the Coastal Emu gives an amazing insight into the lives of these fascinating creatures.

Titled ‘A day in the life of a Coastal Emu’ the film by Skyloka Australia’s Field Researcher and Drone Pilot Micah Ruedin is on the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment, and Water’s YouTube channel.

“We don’t know exactly how many coastal emus (Dromaius novaehollandiae) remain in this endangered population, but we estimate there are fewer than 50,” the Department states on YouTube.

“Coastal emus were once widespread across north-eastern New South Wales.

“Now, they live only within Evans Head, Red Rock and the Bungawalbin area.”

The footage, which runs for 11 minutes and 34 seconds, was uploaded on June 4, 2025, and has already garnered more than 980 views.

“They’re a lot smarter than people give them credit for,” Mr Ruedin says.

“Just because they don’t follow our criteria, and the way that we think, but they definitely have a personality.”

After the time he has spent with the emus, he said he can identify individual birds from their unique characteristics.

Mr Ruedin said a lot of the footage in the film of Coastal Emus has never been captured before.

Using a DJI all weather, day and night drone with 200 time zoom and thermal capabilities, Mr Ruedin captures emu chicks in their nests and with their parent.

Saving Our Species Senior Threatened Species Officer, Lia Hooper said they had been working with Mr Ruedin for more than 3 years, and he spends several months of the year living with the emus in his 4wd and caravan.

“With the introduction of the technology on this project we have been able to find our first wild Coastal Emu nest,” she said.

“We’ve also been able to collect some amazing behavioural and diet information, which we didn’t have recorded.

“So, all of this information we have discovered over the last few years is helping to fill knowledge gaps and inform the future management of the conservation project.”

To watch the video visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_r20CQjOxM.

For more information on Coastal Emus or to register your sightings visit https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/news/keeping-up-with-coastal-emu-conservation.

This article appeared in the Clarence Valley Independent, 18 June 2025.