The emu is neither extinct, not in any danger of becoming extinct. Its status is "secure".

However, there were several varieties of emus prior to European settlement. The Tasmanian emu, King Island emu and Kangaroo Island emus are now extinct.

Kangaroo Island Emu was created in 1984.

As a matter of fact, three species of emu are now extinct. The King Island emu (or Black emu), Tasmanian emu and the Kangaroo Island emu (or Dwarf emu) are all extinct as a result of being hunted for food by whalers and sealers in the 19th century.

The mainland emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae) is able to defend itself against predators, outrunning them with its high speed, endurance and exceptional ability to turn quickly.

The King Island emu, like the Tasmanian emu and Kangaroo Island emu, is extinct largely as a result of being hunted and eaten by whalers and sealers on Australia's southern coast. These birds were easy prey and had little means of defence, which resulted in their extinction after only a short time of contact with Europeans.

The Dwarf emu's population was wiped out during the early part of the 1800s, but it is not known when the last specimen died out. The Dwarf Emu, which was found on Kangaroo Island and islands of Bass Strait, became extinct due to hunting and fires from sealers and visiting sailors.