New sighting of stray emu - which may or may not be Ethel – in Sprotbrough

Lynne Grffith, who took a photo of the bird at about 3.20pm on land near Crusader Drive, told how the animal was feeding on pellets someone had left for it.

The large flightless bird - which approached Lynne when she stopped her car to call it over - remained at the gate where she stood for some time, the amazed onlooker said.

However it is uncertain whether the animal photographed on crusader Drive today is the same emu - named Ethel - which became famous after spending five days on the run in Sprotbrough a week ago.

The RSPCA say Ethel was reunited with her owner on Monday (August 10) this week but since then sightings in the area have continued - leading to speculation there is another, separate bird on the run.

Police and RSPCA say they have been left puzzled by how many birds are actually on the loose.

A South Yorkshire Police spokesman said: “We are unsure if it is the same one or a second one. It is not a police incident so we have not deployed officers.”

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