The Emu is currently found in Australia, the biggest bird native to the continent. Known by the Latin name Dromaius novaehollandiae, it is the only surviving member of the genus Dromaius. The second largest bird in world today after the ostrich, the Emu is flightless and is sometimes bred for its leather, meat, and pure emu oil. Reaching up to 2m in height and able to sprint as fast as 30 mph, the Emu can be found across the mainland of Australia, though the birds will avoid arid regions, thick forests, and populated areas when possible.
Though Australia is the only place where one can find the birds and thus emu oil product sources, a subspecies of Emu could previously be found in Tasmania. However, they sadly became extinct due to European settlement in the late 1700’s. In total, there are three subspecies that are now extinct. Emus are also harder to find now on the east coast where they were once quite plentiful. Due to human activity, their habitat has been shifted and altered. However, the population is still fairly plentiful and due to being farmed for purposes such as Emu oil, it is unlikely that the species will be endangered anytime soon. However, there are local pockets in some areas that are facing extinction.