Mablethorpe Seal Sanctuary and Wildlife Centre confirms death of emu Emma believed to be the world’s oldest

An emu believed to have been the oldest in the world has died aged 44.

Emma, a male emu, was brough to Mablethorpe Seal Sanctuary and Wildlife Centre from the Netherlands in 1980.

When he arrived he was only 2ft tall, but before he died he stood at around 6ft.

Dennis Drew, 41, trustee at Mablethorpe Seal Sanctuary and Wildlife Centre said the park "lost a member of its family".

He said: "Emma had been here at the park for so long, so in losing him we lost someone very close to us all."

Emma died in his sleep on March 9 marking and incredible 44 years and 10 months at the zoo.

According the the wildlife centre the life span of an emu in captivity is between 25 and 30 years.

When Emma first arrived over four decades ago staff originally thought he was female and decided against changing his name upon discovering he was a male.

Emma was a real character according to Drew.

He said: "Sometimes he was happy and other times he was a grumpy old man - it depended on the day.

"But as he got older he calmed down and became more timid and tame."

"Though, he was a cheeky chap always trying to steal things out of the keepers buckets."

According to drew, the birds favourite activities where splashing around in mud baths and showering.

Visitors also enjoyed watching Emma.

Drew said: "He would happily follow the visitors when they would walk past his enclosure."

"I'm sure he will be missed very dearly."

In 2020, it was believed the world's oldest emu was Pepe, a 58-year-old from Australia.