Parks staff capture emu at Kill Creek Park in Johnson County, Kansas DE SOTO, Kan., Oct. 3 (UPI) -- A Kansas parks official said a young emu caught while running loose at a public park was the first of his species he had encountered in the state. Matt Garrett, a field biologist for the Johnson County Park & Recreation District, said the large flightless bird, which is native to Australia, was spotted Wednesday at Kill Creek Park and staff "wrangled and herded" the animal into a building, The Kansas City (Mo.) Star reported Thursday. "That was pretty interesting," Garrett said. Garrett said officials were able to get in touch with a nearby landowner believed to be the emu's owner. Mike Martin, secretary of the Kansas Emu Association, said the bird appeared to be young and likely hatched during the spring.