The nest holds nine coastal emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae) eggs. Image credit: courtesy NSW Forestry Corporation

A coastal emu nest has been discovered on the NSW North Coast, where the population of the endangered species is estimated at fewer than 40 individuals.

A nest holding nine coastal emu eggs has been found in state forest in northern New South Wales, providing hope for the survival of the near-extinct native bird.

The coastal emu, also known as the NSW North Coast emu, is genetically different from Australia’s common emu, which is thriving throughout the mainland.

While the common emu is ranked as of ‘Least Concern’ on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, the coastal emu has been classified as endangered by the NSW government since 2002.

a coastal emu — Although the coastal emu is genetically different from Australia’s common emu, they share the same scientific name of Dromaius novaehollandiae. Image credit: NSW Forestry Corporation

Once widespread across the north-east of the state, the small population – numbering fewer than 40 – is now only found within the Evans Head, Red Rock and Bungawalbin areas of the region.

Their territory may soon be extended to include Grafton, where the recently-discovered nest was found by Forestry Corporation’s lead forestry officer Kurt Holzhauser during a routine habitat search for threatened and endangered species.

Forestry Corporation’s senior ecologist Chris Slade says, “To discover a nest bearing eggs is a significant moment for that endangered population. It’s an amazing prospect because the timing of the discovery is perfect, in the sense that every effort can now be taken to try to ensure those eggs hatch.”

A map showing the current known distribution of the coastal emu on the NSW North Coast. Image credit: DPE

If the coastal emu population was to be lost from the region, there would be grave knock-on effects for the entire ecosystem.

Emus eat fruits and seeds and disperse them across large areas, which in turn supports the health of forests home to many different threatened plant and animal species. These forests are some of the most diverse coastal forests in the world.

The coastal emu also has significant cultural value to the Yaegl, Gumbaynggirr and Bundjalung First Nations peoples.

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Nest of endangered coastal emu found in northern NSW