Featured Image Credit: @bindisueirwin/Instagram/@knucklebumpfarms/ Instagram
Topics: Animals, Bindi Irwin, Health, Social Media, TikTok, Viral, US News
Poppy Bilderbeck
Topics: Animals, Bindi Irwin, Health, Social Media, TikTok, Viral, US News
Bindi Irwin has spoken out after the owner of TikTok famous emu Emmanuel Todd Lopez appealed for help after the bird contracted avian flu.
On Monday, 17 October, Knuckle Bump Farms owner Taylor Blake took to Twitter in 'desperation' and called upon Steve Irwin's wife and two children to help her save her emu, Emmanuel.
The eldest of the Crocodile Hunter's two kids, Bindi Irwin, has since responded to Blake's plea.
Prepare to immediately start searching for the nearest location to go and pet an emu:
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In earlier posts, Blake revealed to followers a 'massive tragedy' had struck the farm.
She continued: "I’ve tried countless times to write this post, but it’s been extremely difficult for me. [...] I have been doing my best to wrap my head around it."
Blake explained 'as many as 50' wild Egyptian Geese had flown into the farm 'under the cover of darkness'.
"Not many people are aware of the dangers that wild birds pose to domesticated birds. Wild birds carry and transmit a deadly virus known as Avian Influenza. Our farm was heavily impacted by wild geese bringing in AI, and we lost 99 percent of the birds on our farm," she wrote.
Blake revealed it's 'relatively impossible to vaccinate for AI because there are so any mutated versions of the virus' and that despite following all state protocols, the farm has lost 'every single chicken and duck,' as well as geese, black swans and turkeys.
One of the farm's emus, Emmanuel, who has gained quite the fan club on the farm's TikTok, had also been taken unwell.
While Blake's vet was able to come to the farm and 'sedate and stabilise' the emu, the farm owner has since called upon Bindi Irwin for help.
Blake tweeted: "I have been a fan of your family for as long as I can remember, I am reaching out to you in total desperation right now. I need help saving my emu, Emmanuel. I will pay to fly anyone to us, if they can help, no questions asked!!
Bindi's response reads: "Hi there, Thank you so much for reaching out.
"Through our Wildlife Hospital which has treated over 100,000 animals including emus, we have never treated an emu with this particular disease. We will need to rely on our fellow animal experts with more experience with this avian flu.
"Our hearts are with you and we appreciate that you care so deeply and have such compassion for darling Emmanuel. We believe that all of us need to have love for each and every individual animal.
"We hope that someone who has greater experience in their area can be of assistance. Sending love and light your way from our entire family."
While Bindi's response doesn't appear to offer an easy solution, Blake was still quick to thank the Irwin family for their response.
"Thank you so much for taking the time to write this Bindi. Your response alone means more than you know.
"Please send my love to your family!" she wrote.
Followers have since flooded to the thread to try and provide Blake with alternative advice and a solution to save her beloved Emmanuel.
One user directed the emu owner to the 'Useless Farm' who may 'know of a good Avian disease specialist'.
Another wrote: "Have you tried Dr. Sue Club in FL?"
A third commented: "University of Tennessee are leading in animal rehabilitation- perhaps reach out to them?"
In Blake's latest update, Emmanuel is on a 'strict vitamin regime' and is attempting to get back on his feet.
We wish Emmanuel a speedy recovery.
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