The saga surrounding “Eno the Emu” came to an end on Thursday when the emu died during an attempt to capture and relocate the bird, according to Orange County Animal Services.

“We had hoped for a better outcome,” said Orange County Animal Services Director Bob Marotto in a release. “We did all we knew to do. We consulted with zoo experts to determine the best course. Unfortunately, she did not respond to our efforts.”

The tale of “Eno the Emu” became famous worldwide as the flightless bird eluded capture attempts from authorities for months. The bird was initially spotted in Chatham County, but traveled north to Hillsborough where it was seen several times.

Media outlets such as CNN, the New York Times, and HuffPost even picked up on the story.

Orange County embraced the hype surrounding “Eno the Emu.” The Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau incorporated “Eno” into its advertising campaign and the Expedition School in Hillsborough turned the emu into a teachable moment for its students.

Although animal control services reached out to known emu owners in the area, no one came forward to claim responsibility for “Eno.”

The plan to capture the emu, developed in conjunction with a board-certified avian veterinarian and two specialists from the North Carolina Zoo, who were present throughout the attempt, involved sedating the bird to make it easy to transport it.

The bird did not respond to the low dose of sedatives, Marotto said, but eventually suffered “an event” while being restrained and died. The team tried to revive the bird through CPR but was unsuccessful.

“Everyone is devastated,” Marotto said.

“We were concerned it could come out on the roadway and cause an accident or be injured itself, and we were also concerned with the opening of hunting season. We didn’t feel leaving it alone was a viable option.”

Related Stories
‹
'Eno the Emu' Eludes Authorities, Draws National Headlines
The most famous individual in the Triangle area is not a football coach or basketball star. It’s an emu, nicknamed Eno, that has eluded authorities for more than a month in Orange and Chatham counties. The bird was first spotted in Chatham County at the end of June, but appears to have traveled north and […]
Animal Sanctuary Defends Orange County Actions Following Emu Death
The animal sanctuary that agreed to take in “Eno the Emu” is defending the actions of Orange County Animal Services in the wake of the bird’s death. “Eno” was initially spotted in Chatham County in late June, but traveled north to Hillsborough where it was seen several times. The bird did not respond to a […]
Orange County Embraces 'Eno the Emu' Craze
As authorities continue to search for Eno the Emu, local residents are embracing the craze that has surrounded the recently nationally-renowned bird. The 5-foot, 100-pound emu has eluded authorities for nearly two months. Sightings of the bird first began in Chatham County in July and the emu — who boasts several thousand followers on fake […]
Report: Multiple Emu Sightings in Chatham, Orange Counties
A large bird is on the loose and local authorities do not find it “emu-sing.” According to a report from The News of Orange County, there have been multiple sightings of an escaped emu in Orange and Chatham counties. “I am not sure exactly when we got our first call about this emu but I […]
Orange County Board Makes CITEL Deal Official, Offers Tax Incentives
The Orange County Board of Commissioners passed an agreement with CITEL to move its American manufacturing operations to Hillsborough.
Orange County Authorities Find Missing Teenager After Brief Search
UPDATE: The Orange County Sheriff's Office said at 10:57 p.m. the missing child has since been located.
Reforming and Contextualizing Orange County's Property Assessments — Dec. 11, 2025
Brighton McConnell moderates a discussion between Shereese Alston, Beverly Scarlett, Hudson Vaughan, Marilyn Carter and Amy Fowler.
Equity in Health Care - December 11, 2025
What is the state of health care today, both nationally and here in our community? And what needs to be done to address disparities?
'Who Are We Targeting?': Unpacking and Examining Impacts of ICE's N.C. Operations
The Orange County community felt the impact of federal immigration officers’ presence. Weeks later, people are still unpacking their emotions.
Orange County Man Wins $200,000 Powerball Prize
An Orange County man won $200,000 on a $3 Powerball ticket last month. Neil Warren of Rougemont bought his ticket online and matched all five numbers on the November 15 drawing to win $50,000. His Power Play ticket then quadrupled the prize money to $200,000. Warren claimed his winnings at lottery headquarters in Raleigh Tuesday. […]
›