May 27, 2009 - 10:03 a.m. EST

FAIRGROVE TOWNSHIP — Traffic on Gilford Road Tuesday morning had more than just deer to look out for.

Two emus from a nearby residence escaped from their home and could be seen running along Gilford Road near Sheridan Road in Fairgrove Township.

“There was a big one and a small one causing traffic problems and were running at large,” said Tuscola County Undersheriff Glenn Skrent. “It took them at least an hour to find out who they belonged to.”

After the deputies were able to find the rightful owner, Skrent said it didn’t take long to round up the large birds.

The emu is the second-largest bird in the world by height, after the ostrich. The soft-feathered, brown, flightless bird can reach up to 6.6 feet in height.

They are able to sprint up to 31 miles per hour, and are farmed for their meat, oil and leather.

“They’re known to kick and bite as well as being tasty,” Skrent said. “One of my deputies was bitten, but no medical attention was needed.”

Skrent said he has received calls wondering if there was a mountain lion loose as well as an emu, and he wanted to assure everyone that there wasn’t.

“As far as I know, there is no mountain lion.”