VISITOR UPDATE Due to Storm Éowyn, we have made the decision to close today. Please note that The Playbarn will remain open as usual.Thank you for your understanding and patience.

How to Find Us Contact Search Latest News

What are you looking for?


You can also solve your question in our F.A.Q's section
Education & Conservation Discover the zoo Plan your visit Opening hours & prices Group Visits
Education
Conservation & Sustainability
Animals adoptions
  • Schools
  • School Bookings
  • Plan Your Visit
  • School Talks & Times
  • School & College Workshops
  • Keeper Courses
  • Keeper Cubs
  • Keeper Kids
  • Keeper Apprentice
  • Keeper Academy
  • A Future That's Wild
  • Students
  • Work experience
  • Research
  • Conservation
  • Programmes
  • Conservation Statement
  • Zoo Sustainability
  • Sustainable Palm Oil Community
Animals
What to do
Zoo's map
  • Experiences
  • Animal Habitats
  • Keeper Courses
  • Animal Interactions
  • Daily Talks
  • Big Cat Habitat
  • Playbarn
  • Dining
  • Shopping
Before your visit
During your visit
FAQs
Accessibility
  • Access statement
  • How to find us
  • Services
  • Our app
Opening hours
Prices
Discounts
Corporate Groups
Organised Groups
Schools
Tickets
Memberships
Meals
Animal Interactions
  • Day Tickets
  • OPEN DAY TICKET
  • Buy 2026 Membership
  • Membership information
  • Members' Monthly Offers
  • Membership Terms and Conditions
  • Membership Renewals
  • Meet the Penguins
  • Feed a Giraffe
  • Carnivore Keeper
  • See all
What are you looking for?

You can also solve your question in our F.A.Q's section

2025 Memberships

Hurry! Become a member and save 20%!

  1. Home
  2. Latest News
  3. Birthday celebrations for one of the world’s oldest emus
2023-03-17 | The Zoo

Birthday celebrations for one of the world’s oldest emus

Organisations joining our Education Team outside Orangutan Outlook
Share the post

Share


LINK SHARE
Copy link
SOCIAL SHARE

On Monday 20th March we will celebrate Ollie, one of the world's oldest emus, as he turns 40 years old!

Ollie hatched at Harewood Bird Gardens in Leeds in 1983 before moving to Blackpool when he was one year old.

He lives happily with the kangaroos as well as his partner Maggie and has fathered many chicks throughout his life. 

Males incubate the eggs for roughly 56 days and do not eat, drink or go to the toilet throughout that time. They then care for the young until they are between six and 12 months old.

The typical lifespan of an emu is 10 to 20 years in the wild and up to 35 in captivity, although a few older birds have been reported in the past.

Emus are the third largest bird species and Ollie stands at 5 foot 7 inches. His favourite foods are carrots and cabbage and he is partial to the odd apple as a treat. 

Emma Swindells, one of our senior keepers said: “It is wonderful to be celebrating 40 years of Ollie!

“He’s a very gentle bird who keeps himself to himself, unlike his partner Maggie who loves to come over to keepers for a good scratch and to see what we are doing!

“This is a huge milestone birthday and Ollie is in great health. He’s one of the oldest emus in the world and will be getting lots of treats to mark the occasion!” 

The oldest emu in the world was claimed to be 58 in 2020. He was kept on a family farm in Valencia Creek in the Australian state of Victoria.

Emus are flightless birds that can reach running speeds of up to 30mph. The species hails from Australia, where the first recorded sighting was in 1696. 

We celebrate Ollie turning 40 who we believe to be one of the world's oldest emus.

OUR STANDARDS

  • BIAZA
  • EAZA - European Association of Zoos and Aquaria
  • Tripadvisor
  • About Us
  • Jobs
  • FAQs
  • Contact info
  • Latest News
  • Site Map
  • Buy Tickets
  • Our App

OTHER ATTRACTIONS OF THE GROUP

  • Oceanarium Bournemouth
  • Nickleodeon Adventure, lakeside
  • Lakes Aquarium
  • Privacy Policy
  • Legal
  • Cookies Policy
  • Terms
  • Employee Privacy Policy
  • Park rules

© Blackpool Zoo