The Coastal Emu Endangered Population is a range-restricted, genetically distinct population found in north-eastern NSW. Once widespread, this population is now estimated to fewer than 50 birds. A recent genetic investigation confirmed that without urgent intervention, the population is at risk of extinction within 50 years.

A key threat to persistence in the wild is low recruitment, largely due to egg and chick predation. A captive breeding and translocation program commenced in 2022 to establish an insurance population, where eggs are collected from the wild and raised in captivity. Once chicks reach a size that minimises risks of predation, they will be released back into the environment, where movement and survival will be monitored. With so few individuals remaining, this is seen as the last opportunity for recovery of this unique population.

This is an ambitious project with many novel challenges. The species persists at very low densities within a highly dispersed population. Thermal drone technology is needed to locate active nests across the landscape. Project success relies on strong partnerships with multiple stakeholders. This includes commercial emu farmers, private landowners who are providing predator-free soft-release sites, the local Aboriginal community, for which emu holds both traditional and contemporary significance, and the non-Aboriginal community, which has developed a high degree of ownership of the emu population.

We present our solutions and preliminary results, including successful application of drone technology, our partnerships with local Aboriginal communities and landowners, and our approach to monitoring captively bred chicks as part of post-release monitoring.