The last break-in at the park was on Christmas Day 2012, when 10 macaws were stolen

Mystery emu theft from Australian wildlife park

Curator from Featherdale park, west of Sydney, says bird has no monetary value but was carried over high electrified fence

The theft of an emu from Featherdale wildlife park near Sydney, Australia, has left police and keepers puzzled. Photograph: Featherdale wildlife park/EPA

The theft of a fully grown emu from an Australian wildlife park this week has left a pile of feathers at the scene of the crime and questions about the motive for snatching an ungainly bird with practically no cash value.

Operating under cover of darkness, thieves are believed to have lifted the flightless bird – second only to the ostrich in size and known for its speed, powerful legs and clawed feet – over electrified barbed wire on a 2-metre fence, eluding a guard and a security camera.

Police evidence suggests a getaway vehicle was parked about 1km (0.6 miles) away near a train line adjacent to the park, said Chad Staples, senior curator at Featherdale wildlife park in Doonside, west of Sydney.