Rogue emu netted in Delaware

     (AP Photo/Ed Andrieski)

    (AP Photo/Ed Andrieski)

    An emu whose escape more than 60 days ago prompted lockdowns at two Delaware elementary schools has been captured.

    Daniel Shortridge, a spokesman for the state Department of Agriculture, told The News-Journal of Wilmington that private parties and state officials netted the flightless bird Thursday afternoon at the Stonefield housing development near Odessa.

    Dan Stonebraker, co-owner of 3 Palms Petting Zoo in Clayton, said 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.

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    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.

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