Selfie-loving emu becomes unlikely tourist attraction in Queensland
A selfie-loving emu is drawing in tourists to Queensland’s Sunshine Coast after becoming the local fun run mascot.
Fluffy, the unlikely running buddy, is turning up every Saturday to keep the joggers company and pose for photos.
The eager emu has even been known to help organisers during set up before the sun rises.
The social running group has posted dozens of pictures of the native animal accompanying organisers and participants as they jog along the Nambour track each week.
Fluffy is even drawing visitors from across Australia who have flown to the sunshine state to snap a selfie with the friendly creature, Parkrun organisers told 7 News.
The feathered running buddy has also been responsible for boosting participant numbers, organisers say.
“We don’t get big numbers normally, but since Fluffy has been around our numbers have been increasing,” Parkrun organiser Melissa Taylor told 7 News.
A video shared to the Nambour Parkrun Facebook page two weeks ago shows Fluffy leading a group of runners to the start line.
“Haven’t got a barcode for Fluffy or a [volunteer] vest that fits her,” one woman joked in the clip.
Event organisers last month feared Fluffy and emu buddy Muffy might be forcibly relocated from the Nambour site after a complaint was lodged to Queensland’s Parks and Wildlife Services.
QPWS told 7 News at the time, it had no intention to remove the animals, but said rangers would be closely monitoring the pair.
Fluffy is currently still seen trotting about and “dancing” along the Nambour track to remain an iconic part of the weekly community event.
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