Keeper Sam takes a good look at Fazie before his journey west.

We are saying goodbye to our two young emus as they head to their new home at the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens in Palm Desert, California. We will miss seeing this pair strolling around the Kangaroo Walkabout, greeting guests with their inquisitive looks.

After an eight-week incubation period, male Fazie and female Elle hatched here last March 14 and 15, respectively, to mother Lafawnduh and late father Napoleon. Male emus typically stay behind to incubate the eggs and look after the chicks after hatching. However, Napoleon did not take much interest in the little ones, and our animal care staff decided to hand-rear the chicks.

After being raised successfully by staff, Fazie and Elle have lived among other emus, kangaroos and muntjacs in their Lands of Change habitat. Their keepers describe the pair as “very people-friendly and loving.”

The Kangaroo Walkabout will still feature emus Lafawnduh and Pedro, as well as all of the other friendly faces found there. Although we will miss Fazie and Elle, we are excited about their new adventure on the west coast!