Cottonwood, AZ — An emu named Frank gave Arizona police quite the chase last week after spending two days on the loose in the city of Cottonwood. Authorities say the bird darted through traffic, startled shoppers, and even prompted a flurry of 911 calls before officers managed to safely capture it.
The Cottonwood Police Department shared body camera footage of the unusual pursuit, showing the moment the large flightless bird was cornered and taken into custody.
Two Days of Chaos Across Cottonwood
According to UPI, officers first responded after several callers reported an emu running through traffic and wandering near a local Walmart parking lot.
“Our dispatch started getting calls there was an emu walking through the parking lot of our Walmart here in town and trying to attack people,” said Officer Kellen Burnes in an interview with KPNX-TV.
At one point, a caller even mistook the animal for a baby giraffe, highlighting just how rare such a sight was for the community.
A 30-Mile-Per-Hour Chase
Officer Burnes said tracking the bird wasn’t easy, as emus can run up to 30 miles per hour and can change direction quickly.
“They can run about 30 miles an hour, and I guess he had on the afterburners that day,” Burnes said.
Police and animal control officers coordinated to block off nearby streets and safely direct traffic during the chase.
The Trick That Led to Capture
After nearly two days of failed attempts, officers relied on an unexpected piece of animal trivia to finally outsmart Frank.
“We learned that emus can’t walk backward,” Burnes explained.
Using that knowledge, officers cornered the bird against a fence and successfully brought the chase to an end. The operation ended peacefully, with no injuries to the animal or the officers involved.
Frank Returns Home Safely
Following the capture, the department confirmed that Frank was safely returned to his owner’s property.
“Frank is doing well. Now he’s back on his property,” Burnes said.
The department later posted the footage on social media, earning laughs and praise from locals for their patience and creativity. Residents commented that the incident was “the most Arizona story of the week.”
While it’s unclear how Frank escaped in the first place, officers used the opportunity to remind the public to report unusual animal sightings immediately and avoid approaching large wildlife.
What are your thoughts on this bizarre and hilarious chase? Share your views in the comments below.
