Tourists film emus swimming across Western Australia river

A group of emus swimming across Western Australia's Murchison River surprised tourists and locals, with a video of the unusual event garnering over 5 million views online. Tracy Grosvenor, owner of Kalbarri Cruises, captured the footage during a regular tour.

"We were probably nearly at the turnaround point, and in the distance, we can see these little black shadows crossing the river, and we didn't know what they were," Grosvenor said. "So, we quickly zoomed up and there were four emus fully swimming across the Murchison."

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We were probably nearly at the turnaround point, and in the distance, we can see these little black shadows crossing the river, and we didn't know what they were. So, we quickly zoomed up and there were four emus fully swimming across the Murchison.

The emus swam approximately 70 meters across the river, a sight Grosvenor described as "just right place, right time to capture it on footage." The passengers on the boat were reportedly delighted by the odd spectacle.

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It was just right place, right time to capture it on footage.

Online commenters have drawn comparisons to the Loch Ness Monster. However, wildlife carer and vet nurse Jaydene Bartley explained that swimming is common for emus, especially in hot weather. "These guys love going through the water and having a good bath," Bartley said. "They have such heavy down underneath their feathers that it helps keep them cool throughout summer in particular and then aids in the cleaning for them."

Bartley added that emus are strong swimmers and often cross large bodies of water to find food, a behavior frequently observed in the hotter northern parts of Western Australia but seen throughout the state when water is available.

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These guys love going through the water and having a good bath. They have such heavy down underneath their feathers that it helps keep them cool throughout summer in particular and then aids in the cleaning for them.