Lovelorn emu gets the bird

Mobile, Alabama - A 6-ft, 150-lb emu that fell head over heels in love with an Alabama man and stalked him for days was turned…

Mobile, Alabama - A 6-ft, 150-lb emu that fell head over heels in love with an Alabama man and stalked him for days was turned loose yesterday on a farm populated by her own species.

The giant bird showed up at the home of Ed and Ann Stuardi last month, drinking from a bird bath and eating berries in their yard. They fed it dog food. "It was mating season and she took a fond liking to him [Mr Stuardi]," said Ms Diane Roberts, director of the Mobile Animal Rescue Foundation. "He had to ward her off with a boat paddle. She was absolutely intent that this was her mate."

Ms Roberts said the emu has been released into an area with other emus, including several males. "Hopefully she will meet another fellow and forget all about Mr Stuardi. After all, he is a married man."