King Island Emu Research Paper

The King Island Emu is now extinct. They were a subspecies of the Emu of today. Before they became extinct, they were only found on King Island. You will find King Island, located between the mainland of Australasia and Tasmania. The King Island Emu was a close relative of the Tasmanian Emu, which many also are extinct. The King Island Emu was very small, and its size may have been the result of insular dwarfison. The King Island Emu's body was black and brown, and their neck had bare blue skin on it. The King Island Emu was very similar to the mainland Emu. They would form groups to look for food and during breeding season. They ate berries, grass and seaweed. They were very fast runners, and they were good at kicking and they would kick their predators. …show more content…
The female King Island Emu would lay around 9 eggs in the nest. The male and female would sit on the eggs until they hatched. The King Island Emu was discovered by the European settlers in 1802 when they traveled to King Island. In 1804, there were some live and some stuffed King Island Emus shipped to France. There were 2 live King Island Emus shipped to France, and they were exhibited at the Jardin des Plantes. The remains of Emus and other birds were sent to museums in Europe. They are still there to this day. The King Island Emu was hunted by the settlers. The settlers also started fires to clear land that destroyed their habitat. It is believed the wild population became extinct by 1805. The 2 Emus that were alive were sent to Paris and it is believed they lived until 1822. It is believed this is when the King Island Emu officially became