Emus may not be native to Canada, but that isn’t going to stop one from visiting the Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows Country Fest this year.
Nyls Janssen will showing the large, flightless bird at the fair, to teach people about the species.
The 18-year-old who lives in Langley on a hobby farm, has many different animals including sheep, goats, geese, chickens, ducks, turtles, cats, and dogs.
He also has three emus: Emmy, Aussie, and Kiwi.
Kiwi is 15 months old and was hatched by Janssen, a member of the Otter Flying Feathers 4-H club, from an egg last April.
“Emus are a special type of bird which are native to Australia, where my dad lived for most of his preteen and teenage years,” explained the teen about why he has taken a liking to them.
“They are a fascinating species of animal in general,” he said, noting emus tend to have the energy of a dog, the personality of a cat, and the aesthetic of a bird. Janssen said the birds love the heat but love also love being refreshed in cold water. They can also run around a yard for hours on end.
And, his emus love to run up to him and run away right after – like playing a game of “tag”.
Janssen added he will be a fountain of all sorts of fun facts about the history of the breed, such as the Emu War of Australia where the Australia infantry lost a war to the emus. He will also be telling guests about what they eat, how large their eggs are, and how to care for them.
In addition to showing Kiwi, Janssen will be participating in the showmanship of poultry and rabbit at the fair.
Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows Country Fest runs July 24-26 at the Albion Fairgrounds.
The historical fair is celebrating 125 years this year and will feature 4H Clubs from across the province, plus live entertainment, a Home Arts and Gardening contest, sheep shearing, a free public skate, Gymkhana, a food truck festival, a West Coast Lumberjack Show, Shooting Star Amusements, and a free senior’s sneak peek from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, July 24.
Janssen and Kiwi will be located just on the outside of the display barn. Kiwi will be at the fair all weekend, but Janssen will only be there on Friday and Saturday.
For a full list of entertainment go to: https://www.mrpmcountryfest.com/.